CEDAR RAPIDS — A mother of a teen told a judge Tuesday the “evil, manipulative monster,” who sexually abused her child for years, deserves prison time.
“He admitted to me he is a ‘sick and twisted man’ when I confronted him,” the mother said in a victim’s impact statement during the sentencing of Ruben Vega, 54, who pleaded guilty in February to lascivious acts with a child.
The mother said she feels so much guilt because as a single mother, she thought she was doing the right thing working overnight shifts and weekends as a nurse to make more money. But what she didn’t know was that Vega, who volunteered to baby-sit, was sexually abusing her child — until the girl had the courage to tell her.
Her daughter, now 16, also has long lasting effects from the trauma, the mother pointed out. Her daughter is behind in school, due to severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.
6th Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill agreed with the mother, saying this “victimization of a child warrants prison.” He noted Vega abused the child from age 6-10, as he sentenced him to five years in prison, the maximum sentence for this charge.
Vega must also serve a special sentence of 10 years on parole and will be listed on the sex offender registry for 10 years following his prison time and Thornhill also placed a five year no contact order against Vega for the victim.
Vega told the judge he took “full responsibility” for his actions and asked for “mercy” from the court. He also apologized to the victim and her mother.
Mark Brown, Vega’s lawyer, asked the judge for a deferred sentence or probation, saying Vega admitted his guilt with the plea and he would face long term penalties with the 10 years on parole and listed as a sex offender. Brown also noted that Vega had already started treatment and counseling.
Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks, during the hearing, tersely said Vega feeling bad and asking for mercy doesn’t mean anything for the victim. He pointed out in the psychological/sexual evaluation that Vega was “victim shaming” the child, claiming she initiated these sexual acts and placing blame on a child for wearing shorts.
“That’s ridiculous,” Maybanks told the judge. “That’s not normal or healthy thinking. He is more suitable for prison — kept away from the community.”
Vega faced five counts of second-degree sexual abuse but Maybanks said the plea agreement was made after consulting with the teen and her family.
“This agreement ensured the victim would not have to endure any further trauma through testifying and eliminated the risk of an acquittal likewise causing additional trauma to her,” Maybanks said after the hearing.
Maybanks said the best outcome is not always a long sentence, but instead, less pain and harm for the victim.
A criminal complaint shows the girl at age 15 told investigators that between August 2006 and August 2010, Vega sexually abused her multiple times. Authorities said the girl’s mother confronted Vega about the allegations.
“I’m a twisted man. I should just turn myself in. Am I going to prison?” the complaint says Vega told the mother.
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