Man given 100-year term for sexual assaults
A state judge on Maui sentenced a Wailuku man who sexually assaulted a child through five years to spend 100 years in prison.
The assaults began when the child was 8.
The girl, who is now 16, said she was relieved that William Barrios, 46, received a long sentence, the Maui News reported.
During Friday’s sentencing, Maui Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo described Barrios as a "monster" for the crimes he committed from 2004 to 2009. Barrios was convicted of 146 sex and kidnapping charges.
"You put a child through the most unspeakable, unthinkable things," Loo told Barrios. "Yes, you will be characterized as a child molester, a sexual predator, because that’s exactly what you are. You are a monster."
The girl testified during the trial that Barrios forced her into various sexual acts at her home, a few times with her mother. The girl also described a camping trip to Olowalu when Barrios forced her into sexual acts while no other adults were present.
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The girl testified that she didn’t tell anyone about the assaults at first because Barrios threatened to kill anyone she told.
"As a child, I was scared to tell anyone about what would happen in my home," she said in court Friday. "My definition of monster is different from most people.
"When the monster was finally out of my life, I could breathe," she said.
Deputy Prosecutor Kim Whitworth said the number of Barrios’ sexual assault convictions was likely "unsurpassed" in the county and possibly the state.
She called Barrios "one of the most diabolical child molesters who has ever set foot on this island."
Barrios "isolated and groomed a young child and subjected her to countless" sexual acts, Whitworth said. She said Barrios used "physical violence, psychological manipulation and threats."
"He robbed her of her childhood and damaged the sanctity of the mother-daughter relationship," Whitworth said.
Barrios declined to speak in court.