The Fathers Against the Sexual Exploitation marched in the street one week ago for the conviction of child molestors – and today they got an encouraging sign. Leon Perez, a 29 year old who had sex with an underage girl he met at a funeral in Gales Point Perez could spend 20 years in jail for it. That is because this afternoon after three hours of deliberations – a jury voted by a majority of 7 to 2 to convict Perez of 2 counts of carnal knowledge.
He was accused of having sexual relations with a 15 year old girl on two occasions in 2007. The victim who is 16 and turns 17 next month – told the court that the first encounter was in September of 2007 after meeting at the funeral. The second was on December 17th of 2007 after a sambai –which is a cultural ritual – in Gales Point. The report however wasn’t made to police until March 31st of 2008. That is six months later and it took that long because her family found out until after it happened.
Perez denied the allegations. It is noteworthy that because of the six month delay in making a police report – there was no medical evidence to certify that the girl was carnally known. Still, the jury was convinced. Justice Adolph Lucas will sentence Perez on Thursday. He faces 5 to 10 years in prison for each count.
