Judge Sentences Sex Abuse Defendant

By Tory Lysik [former] - October 19, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man for two sex offenses involving underage victims.

According to the prosecution, the defendant, John Santiago, met the girls online and invited them to a hotel where he was staying while looking for permanent housing in DC.

“The real problem here is we have gotten to a place in this world where the internet allows us to do things like this,” Judge Milton Lee said.

Santiago, 44, was initially charged with first-degree child sex abuse and first-degree sexual abuse of a minor. In June, he pleaded down to attempted first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and attempted first-degree child sex abuse.

Judge Lee sentenced the defendant to two years, one of which was suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation for the attempted first-degree sexual abuse of a minor charge. For the attempted first-degree child sex abuse charge, Judge Lee sentenced him to 40 months, 20 of which were suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation.

The sentences will run consecutive, putting his total amount to serve at 32 months. The probation periods, however, will run concurrent.

During the Oct. 15 sentencing hearing, defense attorney Shawn Sukumar said his client would be better-rehabilitated by mental health therapy and spending time with his family, rather than prison time.

Sukumar also said that, unlike other child sex abuse cases he had seen before, this is not one where manipulation took place.

The prosecution said they do not have an issue with Santiago receiving counseling but, due to him appearing to have more encounters with the victims after finding out their age, they feel prison time is necessary.

Santiago will be required to complete a mental health evaluation as part of his probation. He must also complete sex offender treatment and remain employed.

Judge Lee also said Santiago is a good man and has come a long way since his initial arrest. The arrest, according to Judge Lee, was a day that turned around Santiago’s life and made him come to terms with his issues.

Santiago also spoke at the hearing and said he is remorseful for his actions.

No victim impact statements were read during the hearing, as they prosecution said they were unable to obtain any despite multiple attempts.