Shock in Bluffton: Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Gun Violence Over Sex-for-Hire Deal
Bluffton residents are reeling after a dramatic courtroom showdown concluded with a man receiving a hefty prison sentence following a violent incident that took place in Hilton Head. This isn’t just any story; it’s one packed with betrayal, gunfire, and a wild turn of events that culminated in a 22-year prison sentence.
The Incident
According to reports from the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, a 30-year-old man named Francisco Cortes was sentenced to nearly two decades behind bars after he was convicted of attempted murder and several other serious offenses. The shocking event unfolded on the early morning of July 5, 2021, in a quiet apartment at The Oaks, just a stone’s throw from the bustling Sea Turtle Marketplace.
It was around 4 a.m. when deputies responded to frantic calls about gunfire erupting in the complex. Upon arriving, they found two people wounded by bullets. One of the victims was Cortes’ own girlfriend, who was “bleeding profusely from her right arm.” Heart-pounding details began to emerge that painted a picture of chaos and desperation.
What Happened That Night?
Prosecutors revealed that Cortes had dropped off his girlfriend at the apartment complex earlier for a rather unusual arrangement. She had agreed to engage in a sexual encounter with a male resident in exchange for money—a transaction that, without doubt, turned dangerous.
After dropping her off, Cortes reportedly waited in his pickup truck. When the resident proposed extending their time together for an extra $400, it set off alarm bells for Cortes. In a fit of rage, he left his truck and began a loud confrontation at the apartment door.
The Gunfire Erupts
Once tensions boiled over, Cortes allegedly pulled out his 9mm handgun and fired off six shots into the apartment. As bullets rained down, his girlfriend was struck in the arm, and a roommate of the male resident was hit while sleeping soundly in his bed. To add to the sheer horror of it all, another roommate barely dodged a bullet while trying to study at his desk!
Aftermath and Arrest
The story takes yet another twist: just three days after this horrifying event, law enforcement apprehended Cortes in Jasper County for breaking into and robbing a church multiple times! He was later moved to the Beaufort County Detention Center to face charges stemming from the shooting.
The Court Case
Fast forward to a Beaufort County jury’s guilty verdict, which was handed down this past Wednesday. Cortes was found guilty on multiple counts, including discharging a firearm into a dwelling, felony assault and battery, and one of the charges with a firearm possession offense. He now faces a sentence of 22 years in prison, though he’ll receive credit for the time already spent in jail, bringing his real sentence down to about 18.5 years.
With the prosecution presenting damning evidence—including surveillance footage showing Cortes with a gun moments before the shooting and his frantic getaway in his truck—the case against him was strong. Assistant Solicitor Samantha Molina highlighted that Cortes even attempted to persuade his girlfriend to lie about the shooting during phone calls from jail.
A Cautionary Tale
As Circuit Court Judge Kristi F. Curtis pronounced the verdict, she also took the precautionary step of signing a permanent restraining order which prevents Cortes from contacting key witnesses in the case, including his girlfriend.
This shocking case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a situation can escalate into violence. As Bluffton residents process the events that have unfolded, one thing is certain: this brings to light the dangers surrounding risky arrangements and the lengths to which anger and heartbreak can lead individuals.
For now, the community holds its breath, hoping for healing for everyone involved and a lesson learned for the future.
