The sentence is being called the longest-known prison sentence in Fresno Superior Court history.
During the sentencing, Judge Edward Sarkisian Jr. told the man he is a “serious danger to society” adding that he had never shown remorse and even blamed his daughter for his predicament. The daughter was first sexually abused by a family friend but instead of protecting her, he turned her into “a piece of property,” prosecutor Nicole Galstan said.
According to the prosecution, the victim was raped two to three times a week from May 2009 to May 2013, when she finally got the courage to leave him. A jury found him guilty of 186 felony counts of sexual assault, including dozens of counts of rape of a minor.
“When my father abused me, I was young. I had no power, no voice. I was defenseless,” said the daughter, who now is 23 years old.
The man turned down two plea deals. Before his preliminary hearing, if he had admitted his guilt, prosecutors would have recommended 13 years in prison. He rejected the offer. Then before his trial, he was offered 22 years in prison if he admitted his guilt and again, he declined the offer.
“He ruined her teenage years and made her feel like it was her fault,” Prosecutor Galstan said in arguing for the maximum sentence.
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