WICHITA, Kansas – The so-called Craigslist rapist learned his fate Thursday in a Sedgwick County courtroom. David Gage will spend 29 years behind bars for raping women he met using the popular Web site.
Gage was a man of few words before being sentenced. The former law enforcement officer portrayed himself as somewhat of a victim for getting involved with prostitution.
"I should have never taken matters into my own hands in pursuing this underworld activity of prostitution, of which I also became a victim of,” said Gage during his sentencing.
Gage showed a bit of remorse toward his victims – a few of whom were on hand for the sentencing.
"I apologize for dragging these women into a situation that they themselves exposed themselves to,” he said. “I have to apologize for that."
Gage met his three victims, who are admitted prostitutes, on the ‘erotic services’ section of Craigslist.
As a result of this case and others, the site has agreed to take the section off. While Judge Greg Waller states Craigslist had obviously not been used properly, in this case he sternly told Gage, “That does not give you any authority or right to pray upon prostitutes.”
Authorities say Gage was able to rape his victims by posing as a U.S. Marshal and displaying both a gun and handcuffs. Meanwhile, although not emotional about his crimes or victims, Gage broke down when it came to his family.
"It's a tough deal to lay the things that I've laid at my own feet much less my family's feet,” he said.
Judge Waller responded by telling Gage he should have thought of his loved ones before committing his crimes.
This is not the first time Gage has been in trouble with the law. In 1998 he was busted for posing as a police officer and attempting to arrest what turned out to be an under-cover officer during a prostitution sting.
