BULLHEAD CITY – A teenager who was sexually offended by a trusted family member in Bullhead City remains traumatized, has engaged in self-harm and is undergoing continuing mental health counseling. The suffering of the victim and her family swayed Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen to order an aggravated 20-year prison term during a May 29 sentencing hearing for Michael Campise, 69.
Allegations presented by family members led to Campise’s arrest in Feb., 2023 and he was convicted of child molestation at his jury trial.
“It is a struggle to get out of bed every day for fear of something bad happening again,” the victim said in her letter to the court.
“The past year has been a nightmare for my daughter,” echoed the victim’s mother.
Judge Jantzen said it was disturbing at trial to see first-hand how much the ordeal negatively impacted the girl and forever changed her life. And he said he found Campise’s attitude to be inappropriately cavalier.
“The defendant has consistently tried to act like it’s not the biggest thing in the world,” Jantzen said. “It’s just incomprehensible that we’re here today because of the action you took.”
Police reports indicate Campise subjected the girl to pornography and had her inappropriately touch him on one occasion in Feb., 2023.
The judge credited Campise for his military service and lack of prior criminal history. But he said those factors are outweighed by the harm he caused as he imposed the double decade prison term.
Dave Hawkins
