Worcester Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Rape Conviction
A Worcester man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of child rape by a jury in a recent trial
Worcester, Massachusetts, Child Rape, Richard Hokanson, Court
He’s 40 years old and used to live in Spencer and Leicester. The trial lasted three days, and the jury didn’t take long to decide. They found him guilty of multiple charges, which is just heartbreaking.
During the sentencing, the Assistant District Attorney wanted a longer sentence, like 12 to 15 years, but Hokanson’s lawyer argued for the minimum. His lawyer claimed the 8-year-old victim was asleep during the incident and didn’t even remember it.
They also said it was a one-time thing, fueled by drinking, and pointed out that there wasn’t much evidence to suggest he had a history of abusing kids. Plus, his family showed up in court to support him, which is a bit surprising given the circumstances.
In the end, the judge, James Gavin Reardon Jr., gave him the 10 years, and he’ll have to register as a sex offender when he gets out. It’s a tough situation all around, and it’s hard to wrap your head around it.