Child rapists to get mandatory 25-year sentence if governor signs Barnett’s bill

The Guam Legislature Friday passed legislation unanimously that, if signed or lapsed into law by the governor, will set a mandatory 25-year prison sentence on any person convicted of sexually assaulting a minor under 12 years of age.

“Every day we read about an evil pedophile harming children. We read about harsh sentences being given to child rapists, then we see these sick offenders paroled early and set free to destroy more lives with their heinous and unforgivable acts,” Chris Barnett, the bill’s author, said in a news release.

“Guam has a major problem with sex crimes committed against children. Bill 183 strengthens our outdated laws and helps keep our kids safe by implementing Jessica’s Law on Guam. With this bill’s passage into law, our island will join 46 states with Jessica’s Law on the books. It breaks my heart that it took this long, but my prayers ‘para i famagu’on-ta’ were answered with Bill 183’s passage [Friday].”

Jessica’s Law is the informal citation 45 states adopted following Florida’s 2005 adoption of the Jessica Lunsford Act. Jessica Lunsford was a young Florida girl who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered in February 2005 by John Couey. Mr. Couey was a previously convicted sex offender. The crime sparked outrage among Floridians, which spurred the Florida legislature into action.

Attorney General Douglas Moylan, the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and the Healing Hearts Rape Crisis Center all testified in favor of the bill’s public hearing held in April.

“The bill mandates a tougher mandatory minimum sentence for 1^st and 2^nd degree criminal sexual conduct committed against children, increasing penalties for both by an additional ten years. It still allows judges the discretion to sentence evil child predators to at least 25 years to life in prison, all without the possibility of parole. While the bill increases the mandatory minimum sentence for these crimes, I ask judges to be merciless when they hand out punishment to evil pedophiles. After all, these deranged individuals show no mercy to their victims,” Mr. Barnett said.

“Data shows individuals who prey on children have a high likelihood of recidivism, that’s why it is important to keep pedophiles locked up for a long time. That’s why we must monitor them if they’re released from prison. Bill 183 does that, too,” Mr. Barnett said.