Dawson County District Judge Chawnta Durham sentenced Esteban Ramon of Lexington Monday to serve from 32 years to 40 years in prison on the charge of Attempted First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. The 42-year-old man was originally charged with sexual assault of child.
Dawson County Attorney Darlene Shafer says the victim was sexually assaulted over a period of five years. Shafer acknowledged that Ramon previously apologized to the Court or the State for his behavior but, he didn’t address the victim “at all”.
Audrey Kingston, Ramon’s attorney said he has served 649 days in jail, has been in the U.S. for over 20 years and had no previous criminal history similar to the case at hand.
At Monday’s hearing, Judge Durham said “the victim was entitled to safety, protection, and the opportunity to experience childhood free from sexual exploitation. Instead, she was subjected to repeated abuse over an extended period during some of the most formative years of her life.” She cited state law, assuming no “good time” is lost, Ramon will be eligible for parole after serving 16 years minus credit for time served. He will be eligible for mandatory release after 20 years, minus credit for time served.
