LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Paroling Authority has determined that convicted sex offender Eaton Edward Rivera Jr. should serve 10 years for the repeated molestation of a 8-year-old girl. The decision was announced Wednesday and follows an Oct. 26 parole hearing
LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Paroling Authority has determined that convicted sex offender Eaton Edward Rivera Jr. should serve 10 years for the repeated molestation of a 8-year-old girl.
The decision was announced Wednesday and follows an Oct. 26 parole hearing to set Rivera’s minimum term of imprisonment. County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, and defense attorney Phyllis Hironaka both presented arguments to the Parole Authority.
“A 10 year term is minimal considering the lifetime sentence that the victim has been subjected to by this sexual predator,” Iseri-Carvalho said. “We hope the victim will continue the healing process and take comfort in the fact that her abuser remains behind bars for an extended term.”
Rivera, 21, of Waimea, was arrested Aug. 13, 2009 at age 19 for continuous first-degree sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl. The assault occurred at least 15 times over a two-year period beginning in 2007. He was also charged with two counts of third-degree sexual assault and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault.
Rivera entered a guilty plea in 5th Circuit Court on Dec. 21, 2010. The plea included 11 of the charges and reduced them to second-degree offenses.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano of the 5th Circuit sentenced Rivera to 10 years on each count to run concurrent on March 17. A letter of apology was submitted by Rivera.
Iseri-Carvalho asked for the maximum term of 10 years, arguing that Rivera violated his position of trust as a family friend. She noted the particularly young age of the victim and the prolonged nature of the abuse as further justification for Rivera’s continued incarceration.
A letter from the victim was also read to the Paroling Authority, which explained in detail how the assault negatively impacted her life.
The defense argued for leniency, but noted that Rivera would not be prepared for release until he undergoes intensive treatment designed for sex offenders.
The Parole Authority order expires on Aug. 3, 2019.
