Judge Sentences Child Sex Abuse Defendant to 2.5 Years in Prison

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 9, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced a sex abuse defendant to 2.5 years in prison on Jan. 6.

Paul Johnson, 26, is charged with attempted first-degree child sexual abuse in connection with an incident involving a four-year-old victim in 2018.

He pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree child sexual abuse in January 2019.

According to the proffer of facts, Johnson digitally penetrated, performed oral sex and other sexual acts on a four-year-old boy and days after the rape the victim told his mom who then reported it to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

While speaking with forensic psychologists days after the crime, the victim said that despite his repeated requests for the defendant to stop during the sexual attack, the defendant persisted in raping him.

When initially speaking with police, the defendant acknowledged raping the victim and confessed to using phencyclidine or PCP the night before the crime.

“He made the decision deliberately and intentionally,” the prosecutor said. “He was alone with the victim and took the opportunity to rape that little boy.”

According to the prosecution, Johnson had a number of tests, and the results of the scientific research revealed that he has a strong propensity to commit crimes again. The test results also revealed that he is attracted to minors.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Ronald Resetarits said Johnson had no prior convictions or violence prior to this offense.

“There was no planning and scheming,” Restearits said. “He hides himself in his room because he feels ashamed. As a result of his grief and guilt, he avoids talking to other family members.”

Additionally, Resetarits emphasized that Johnson was excellent during his three years of house confinement and exceedingly cooperative. He worked at a number of jobs while under house arrest and maintained regular contact with Pretrial Services about his working hours, he said.

“To the victim, I’m sorry for the bad things I did to you. You did nothing wrong,” Johnson read from a letter he wrote for the sentencing. “I hope you don’t do this to anybody or hurt yourself because of what I did to you. I hope you become a good person and stay out of trouble.”

The defendant was allegedly sexually molested by his older brother when he was younger.

Judge Demeo recognized the circumstances of the case and sentenced the defendant to 30-months in prison and 15 years of supervised release.

“His voice isn’t heard,” she said. “At the time of the offense, he told the defendant to stop but his voice wasn’t heard. He was powerless. The four year old had no choice. This isn’t about consent. A 22-year-old having sex with a four-year-old means the four-year-old had no power.”