Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_048111332.html
A deaf teacher of American Sign Language accused of sexually assaulting a deaf former student has been sentenced to one year in jail - six times the sentence recommended by prosecutors.
"I've adopted a one-year sentence instead of 60 days because the victim was very vulnerable and somewhat naive and he was a registered sex offender," 4th District Judge Lynn W. Davis said in sentencing Roger Alan Wilkins, 38, of Lehi.
Wilkins pleaded guilty in November to two third-degree felony counts of attempted forcible sexual abuse. In return, prosecutors dropped other charges, including two first-degree felony counts of attempted rape and forcible sodomy.
Third-degree felonies are punishable by a maximum sentence of zero to five years in prison.
Davis said Wilkins held a prominent position of trust in the deaf community violated that faith when he abused the female student. Not only was the student victimized, he said, but also her mother, Wilkins's wife and children, the deaf community and the community at large.
Davis was appalled that Salt Lake Community College and Utah Valley State College had employed a registered sex offender.
"That is beyond the belief of this court," he said.
According to police, the then-18-year-old victim was befriended by Wilkins as a student at Salt Lake Community College. He invited her to live in his home with his wife and children when she needed a place to stay.
She said that on Jan. 5 and Jan. 9, 2004, he touched her after she had repeatedly said no.
His attorney argued previously that Wilkins believed the incidents were consensual. Prosecutors said the woman told Wilkins no several times, both using sign language and by shaking her head.
Davis expressed great compassion and concern for the victim and her mother, who were present in court.
He said that though the young woman was intelligent, a presentencing report indicated her emotional and maturity levels were that of a 12-year-old girl.
"I can't remember receiving a letter from a victim in the last 19 years on the bench that has been so heart-wrenching," Davis said.
The victim told the judge she's struggled in the two years since the crime and said returning to school and normal life has been difficult.
"I feel lost and overwhelmed," she said through an ASL interpreter. "I'm afraid to enter into a new relationship with a man, afraid for my future. I'm just very afraid."
Davis allowed Wilkins to have work release from jail so he can operate a business selling products on eBay out of his home.
Wilkins also will have to pay a yet-to-be-determined amount of restitution to the victim and her family for counseling expenses.
He also will have to complete sex offender treatment and register with the state as a felony sex offender. He has been listed on the Utah Sex Offender Registry since a felony conviction on two counts of lewdness with a child in a 1993 case.
Davis restricted Wilkins from accessing any pornographic media saying that it was his impression that a pornography addiction was "the genesis" of Wilkins' sexual crimes.
Wilkins expressed remorse to the victim and to all those he had hurt.
"I've been considering the wrongs I've done and I accept full responsibility," he said though an ASL interpreter. "I ask for forgiveness ... and want to never repeat this act."
A deaf teacher of American Sign Language accused of sexually assaulting a deaf former student has been sentenced to one year in jail - six times the sentence recommended by prosecutors.
"I've adopted a one-year sentence instead of 60 days because the victim was very vulnerable and somewhat naive and he was a registered sex offender," 4th District Judge Lynn W. Davis said in sentencing Roger Alan Wilkins, 38, of Lehi.
Wilkins pleaded guilty in November to two third-degree felony counts of attempted forcible sexual abuse. In return, prosecutors dropped other charges, including two first-degree felony counts of attempted rape and forcible sodomy.
Third-degree felonies are punishable by a maximum sentence of zero to five years in prison.
Davis said Wilkins held a prominent position of trust in the deaf community violated that faith when he abused the female student. Not only was the student victimized, he said, but also her mother, Wilkins's wife and children, the deaf community and the community at large.
Davis was appalled that Salt Lake Community College and Utah Valley State College had employed a registered sex offender.
"That is beyond the belief of this court," he said.
According to police, the then-18-year-old victim was befriended by Wilkins as a student at Salt Lake Community College. He invited her to live in his home with his wife and children when she needed a place to stay.
She said that on Jan. 5 and Jan. 9, 2004, he touched her after she had repeatedly said no.
His attorney argued previously that Wilkins believed the incidents were consensual. Prosecutors said the woman told Wilkins no several times, both using sign language and by shaking her head.
Davis expressed great compassion and concern for the victim and her mother, who were present in court.
He said that though the young woman was intelligent, a presentencing report indicated her emotional and maturity levels were that of a 12-year-old girl.
"I can't remember receiving a letter from a victim in the last 19 years on the bench that has been so heart-wrenching," Davis said.
The victim told the judge she's struggled in the two years since the crime and said returning to school and normal life has been difficult.
"I feel lost and overwhelmed," she said through an ASL interpreter. "I'm afraid to enter into a new relationship with a man, afraid for my future. I'm just very afraid."
Davis allowed Wilkins to have work release from jail so he can operate a business selling products on eBay out of his home.
Wilkins also will have to pay a yet-to-be-determined amount of restitution to the victim and her family for counseling expenses.
He also will have to complete sex offender treatment and register with the state as a felony sex offender. He has been listed on the Utah Sex Offender Registry since a felony conviction on two counts of lewdness with a child in a 1993 case.
Davis restricted Wilkins from accessing any pornographic media saying that it was his impression that a pornography addiction was "the genesis" of Wilkins' sexual crimes.
Wilkins expressed remorse to the victim and to all those he had hurt.
"I've been considering the wrongs I've done and I accept full responsibility," he said though an ASL interpreter. "I ask for forgiveness ... and want to never repeat this act."
