It sounds like a tragic story all around, not to mention an unfinished one. A 19-year-old was sentenced in Colorado court recently to eight years to life for having sex with a minor. He was convicted of the sex assault on a child charge in March and is also a reported suspect of the same victim’s homicide.
According to reports, the 12-year-old with whom the defendant had a sexual relationship went missing last spring. Authorities later found her dead body and focused on the young man as the homicide suspect. Formal charges, however, have not been filed in that case.
The Greeley Tribune reports that the suspect admitted to having an intimate relationship with the victim and that, specifically, they had engaged sexually at least 10 times. She was 12 years old at the time, and the defendant was barely 18 years old. As a guest of the victim’s brother, the defendant had been living with her in her home when their romantic relationship began.
Though the now convicted sex offender was considered the adult in an illegal sexual relationship, which is why he was convicted of sex assault on a child, sources close to him describe him as “low functioning.” He’s been described as having the mental and emotional maturity of a 12-year-old, with a lack of education and a history of being abused.
Apparently, the court didn’t take those points to heart entirely when the judge sentenced him to at least 8 years of incarceration. However, the young man will reportedly get to serve time somewhere where he can be treated for any disability he might suffer from.
If there is an update regarding the homicide aspect of this case, we will let you know.
Source
The Greeley Tribune: “Montoya sentenced to 8 years to life in Kayleah Wilson case,” Sharon Dunn, 3 Jun. 2011