E.A.V. pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault and sexual interference against his 12-year-old stepdaughter, who subsequently became pregnant and gave birth.
The court considered numerous aggravating factors, including a gross breach of trust, the victim's young age and lack of sexual education, the progressive severity and prolonged period of the assaults, the lack of birth control leading to pregnancy, the religious context, the abuse occurring in the victim's home, frequent threats and humiliation, and the victim's increased vulnerability due to pandemic lockdowns.
The profound physical, emotional, and intergenerational impact on the victim and her family was also highlighted.
Mitigating factors included the guilty plea (though attenuated by the overwhelming evidence), the offender's own history of childhood abuse, his rehabilitation potential (sobriety, employment), collateral immigration consequences (likely deportation), and the harsh conditions of his pre-sentence custody due to jail lockdowns.
The court emphasized denunciation and deterrence as paramount sentencing principles.
E.A.V. was sentenced to 18.5 years in custody, with credit for pre-sentence custody, and various ancillary orders were imposed.