Ex-Pasco doc gets 33 years, 9 months for child porn

TAMPA -- A former Port Richey family practice physician was sentenced today to 33 years and 9 months in federal prison for a conviction on child pornography charges.

Jurors found Dr. Richard Carino, 48, guilty on July 10 of three counts of receipt and three counts of possession of child porn.

Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich gave him the maximum sentence allowed by law.

"I see a deep darkness within you, sir," the judge told Carino. "It leads to an abyss. You have hurt so many people. You don't deserve to be out in the community."

At trial, Carino's ex-wife testified about turning in her then-husband to authorities after she discovered him viewing child porn. Autumn Carino told detectives about her husband's habits when Drug Enforcement Administration agents searched his office and home in 2005. Richard Carino had been under investigation for illegally dispensing prescription drugs online.

Carino's younger sister, Dawn Carino, also testified against him at trial. She told jurors that Richard Carino locked her into a bathroom and sexually abused her growing up when their parents were away. She was 11 at the time, she said, and he was 16.

Dawn Carino spoke at today's sentencing, telling the judge that the alleged abuse continues to affect her as an adult.

Defense attorney Charles Medlin objected to that testimony, which prosecutors used to enhance Richard Carino's punishment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel Moore wanted to establish that Richard Carino had a propensity for sexual attraction to young children.

The judge allowed it.

"The damage you affected to your own name, which your family treasured, isn't just a disgrace," Kovachevich told Carino. "You have irrevocably damaged the name that your other family members carry."

-Kevin Graham, Times staff writer