Her mother told a Kingman judge that the life of a seven year-old Lake Havasu City girl has been shattered by the man who admits molesting her. The woman’s June 17 statement came before Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle imposed the 20 year prison term mandated in the plea agreement convicting David Long, 44, of sexual conduct with a minor.
The plea deal dismissed five other charges involving the victim, one of them dating back to early 2016.
The mother spoke of the horror of being in California celebrating her son’s 5th birthday when she learned her daughter had been molested. Since then the victim has changed schools, lost friends, ended a youth involvement she enjoyed and started counseling.
“This man took away my daughter’s innocence,” the woman said during Monday’s sentencing hearing. “This is not something a child should ever have to worry about.”
“I just want to apologize to the victim,” Long told judge Carlisle.
Carlisle said he understands resolving the case via plea agreement spares the victim the trauma and ordeal of trial and testifying from the witness stand. He also said he believed that more prison time than 20 years is appropriate if the defendant is guilty as originally charged.
Long faces lifelong supervised probation and sex offender registration requirements when released from prison.
