Camacho gets 30 years for sex abuse

The Superior Court yesterday ordered Juan Borja Camacho to spend 30 years in prison for sexually abusing a then 12-year-old girl twice in 2004.

Associate judge David A. Wiseman said 57-year-old Camacho should be released on Nov. 4, 2036, which will complete the 30-year term minus 16 days for the time he has already served in jail.

Wiseman said the release date is subject to any parole that may be granted.

He ordered Camacho to start serving the prison term at the Department of Corrections on Nov. 20, 2006.

“Our public laws represent the will and sentiment of the people of the community and when it comes to sexual abuse of a minor, they have spoken loud and clear, with harsh sentences such as the said 30-year jail term, a mandatory minimum of eight years plus up to $50,000 fine,” the judge said.

Wiseman noted that Camacho is no stranger to the criminal courts, with two other pending criminal cases that include charges of burglary, criminal mischief, contempt of court, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.

He cited that there were two other criminal cases that were dismissed by the government.

Wiseman said the victim’s version of what happened in this case as well as the traumatic effect it has had and continues to have on her years of youth is of great concern to the court and to the community.

“Situations such as the trauma of this young victim caused by the defendant’s actions is why the people passed the law with harsh sentences, sending a strong message to potential offenders and those adults who terrorize, perpetrate and violate the innocence of a minor that they will go to jail for many years,” he said.

Wiseman also directed the defendant to pay a $25,000 fine, $100 in court assessment fee, and probation fee.

Camacho is required to register as a sex offender and submit to HIV testing.

Last September, the jury found Camacho guilty on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.

The jurors, however, determined that the defendant is not guilty of two counts of kidnapping.

Wiseman also convicted Camacho of two counts of disturbing the peace.

Wiseman presided over the trial and was tasked to rule on the two counts of disturbing the peace charges.

Documents indicated that police started investigating the case after the Division of Youth Services reported the incident to the Department of Public Safety on July 24, 2004.

An investigator learned from the victim that Camacho sexually abused her at his residence on July 12 and 13, 2004.