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Child abuser on probation charged again
By CARRIE JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer CRYSTAL RIVER -- A Crystal River man still on probation after he was convicted of aggravated child abuse was arrested again Sunday after being accused of smearing feces on the face of a 5-year-old boy. Steven G. Gionti, 25, of 6485 W Moss Lane was arrested by Citrus County sheriff's deputies on one count of child abuse. He was being held at Citrus County Jail on $5,000 bail. According to his arrest report, Gionti was with his girlfriend and her 5-year-old son when the child soiled his pants about noon Sunday. The girlfriend asked Gionti to take the boy outside and hose him off. The boy's 7-year-old brother told deputies he watched Gionti remove the 5-year-old's underpants and spread feces on the side of his face. Gionti then washed the rest of the child, leaving the feces on his cheek. The boys told their mother about the incident, and she confronted Gionti, the report said. The girlfriend, whose name was not released by deputies, said Gionti told her he used the feces as a "disciplinary action." She reported the incident to the Sheriff's Office. Gionti was found at his father's residence. According to the arrest report, Gionti told investigators he never touched the child or his underpants. Gionti's father interrupted the interview to instruct his son to contact a lawyer. Gionti told authorities he was still on probation after a 1998 conviction of one count of aggravated child abuse for severely beating another 5-year-old boy. According to court records, Gionti was dating the boy's mother at the time. Gionti was accused of punching the boy in the face and spanking him repeatedly. A guidance counselor at Rock Crusher Elementary School learned of the abuse from the child. The attack left severe bruises, scabs and cuts on the child's buttocks, authorities said. Gionti was found guilty by a Citrus County jury and sentenced to two years and four months in prison, as well as two years of probation, according to court records. He was also instructed to attend anger management and parenting classes, the records said. -- Crime reporter Carrie Johnson can be reached at 860-7309 or cjohnson@sptimes.com.
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