Paulo Villegas

Sources

1. MAN GETS 6-YEAR TERM, Hartford Courant, August 1, 2003.

• 1. MAN GETS 6-YEAR TERM

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  An 18-year-old man, who repeatedly molested a 4-year-old boy who is now afraid to go to the bathroom alone, was given an active six-year prison sentence Thursday in Superior Court in Hartford.

  Paulo Villegas was sentenced to 15 years, suspended after six years, and 10 years’ probation. The state’s attorney’s office dropped the sexual assault charges because the victim’s family wanted to spare the child testifying at trial, Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Gailor said.

  Villegas, who was arrested in June 2002, pleaded guilty on May 23 to two charges of risk of injury to a minor under the Alford Doctrine, which means he did not agree to the allegations against him but believed the state had enough evidence to convict him at a trial.

  Judge Elliot Solomon refused to reduce the time that Villegas must spend in prison from six to five years. Solomon also verbally reprimanded Villegas’ attorney, Richard Montanez, for saying that the victim’s family shared some responsibility for what happened to the child.

  Before the sentencing, the victim’s mother tearfully told the court that her son is already being punished because of the abuse. “It doesn’t matter how much time [Villegas] gets,” she said. Her son already feels dirty and is fearful of going to the bathroom, she said.

  The mother, who was not named to protect the identity of the victim, urged the court to make sure that Villegas is deported back to Peru. She also asked the court to make sure that Villegas serves his entire sentence.

  Villegas’ father said that his son was a good student and never had a history of abusing children before the current charges he faced. “It’s unfortunate that these things happened. He just couldn’t control himself,” Alberto Villegas said. “We ask for forgiveness on behalf of our family.”

  Villegas also pleaded for the court’s mercy.

  “I want to ask for forgiveness even if they don’t accept it. I feel sorry for what I’ve done. I really wasn’t thinking at that moment. When I get out I will change,” Villegas said.

  Villegas said he also has suffered in isolation because of his crimes. “Being in that jail is like being in hell everyday. There are people who really want to harm me,” he told the judge.

  After Villegas appealed to the court, Solomon said Villegas betrayed the victim and the victim’s family. “The blame falls on the shoulders of your client. He has not taken responsibility,” Solomon said.

  Before the sentencing, Solomon said Villegas blamed the victim for initiating the illegal contact. “He deliberately did what he did. It wasn’t a moment. He is way off base.”