Source: CVDaily Feed
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LOGAN — A 24-year-old North Logan man who pleaded guilty to raping a woman was sentenced to jail, after the victim asked for a lesser sentence, saying she had forgiven the man.
Jorge Fancisco Pena appeared in 1st District Court Monday, after pleading guilty in September to rape and burglary charges, both second-degree felonies.
State Attorney Barbara Lachmar described how Pena raped the victim, resulting in the woman becoming pregnant. She said the woman is now a single mother and has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Judge Kevin Allen told Pena the choice he made that night had horrible consequences and that he was prepared to send him to prison if it wasn’t for the wishes of the victim.
The woman told the court how she had forgiven Pena, asking that he be sentenced to jail instead of prison. “You need to start owning up to what you did,” she said. “You raped me. Stop lying and stop abusing women.”
Judge Allen originally sentenced Pena to two sentences of one-to-15 years in prison and 90-days in jail. After meeting with lawyers in his private chambers and learning of the victim’s wishes, he returned to the courtroom, suspended the sentence and instead, ordered Pena to serve one-year in the Cache County Jail. He also ordered him to be on probation and avoid viewing any forms of pornography.
Pena told the court he apologized for what he did and wants to become a better person.
will@cvradio.com