19 years later, Steven Lorenzo admits to 2 Tampa murders

TAMPA — Nineteen years since Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz vanished after visiting the same nightclub, Steven Lorenzo admitted in a Tampa courtroom that he sexually tortured and murdered the men before disposing of their bodies.

In a slightly surreal court hearing Tuesday morning, Lorenzo listened quietly as a prosecutor recited a graphic account of the crimes. He said the details were mostly true, but then briefly told his own lurid if somewhat convoluted story in what he said was an effort to correct inaccuracies.

He claimed that there were other people involved in the murder of Galehouse, and that the killing was “a group decision” to stop him from calling the police.

He said he didn’t know the other people and was uncertain of their names. He described sexual activity with Galehouse, but said he didn’t want to “tarnish the memory of this kid.” He admitted that Galehouse was dismembered, but claimed someone else did that part.

“I cannot tell you how much what I’m hearing from you infuriates me,” Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher Sabella told Lorenzo.

The judge then asked a question many in Tampa have long wondered: Did Lorenzo kill other people?

“No,” was his quick reply.

Lorenzo pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. He remained adamant that he wants the death penalty.

Lorenzo was convicted in 2005 in federal court of using GHB, a date-rape drug, to facilitate the sexual assaults of several men, including Galehouse and Wachholtz. Prosecutors said he and another man, Scott Schweickert, fantasized in online chats about drugging, raping and killing men.

The killings, similar sexual assaults and suspicious disappearances of gay men struck fear in the LGBTQ community at the time.

Schweickert later admitted his role in the crimes. He and Lorenzo were both sentenced to federal prison. But it was more than a decade before a murder case — and the prospect of the death penalty — took shape. Schweickert ended up pleading guilty and agreeing to testify against Lorenzo in exchange for a life sentence.

While the judge has been cordial to Lorenzo in prior hearings, his tone Tuesday was stern. Sabella told Lorenzo he would not hesitate to order Lorenzo’s execution if he decides it’s appropriate.

“Yes, I understand that,” Lorenzo said. “I’m counting on that.”