Lummi Tribe member gets 14 years for sexually abusing kids
SEATTLE -- A 42-year-old member of the Lummi Tribe was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years in prison for sexually abusing two children.
David Allen James pleaded guilty in October to two counts of aggravated sexual abuse for molesting two young children in his care, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case because the crimes occurred on Lummi Tribal land.
"We have come a long way in recognizing how devastating sexual abuse is to children and how it repeats itself through generations," U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said at the sentencing hearing.
Prosecutors say James abused two children -- presently 7- and 8-years old -- between April 2010 and April 2012. The kids eventually told authorities about the abuse and James was arrested.
Speaking to the court, James said he, too, had been sexually molested as a child and hoped to use his time behind bars to understand why he molested kids, according to prosecutors.
Once he gets out of prison, James will have 5 years of supervised release.
David Allen James pleaded guilty in October to two counts of aggravated sexual abuse for molesting two young children in his care, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case because the crimes occurred on Lummi Tribal land.
"We have come a long way in recognizing how devastating sexual abuse is to children and how it repeats itself through generations," U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said at the sentencing hearing.
Prosecutors say James abused two children -- presently 7- and 8-years old -- between April 2010 and April 2012. The kids eventually told authorities about the abuse and James was arrested.
Speaking to the court, James said he, too, had been sexually molested as a child and hoped to use his time behind bars to understand why he molested kids, according to prosecutors.
Once he gets out of prison, James will have 5 years of supervised release.
I do not care if he was molested as a child and I am sick and tired of people using their childhood as an excuse for things. These 2 innocent kids are scarred for life so I would love to see the prison make him wear a shirt that details his crime then put him in general population!!! This POS does not deserve a 2nd chance.
I'm not surprised that he was abused himself. Not making an excuse but studies show those who are been abused will likely abuse others themselves. At least he has been caught, made responsible for his choices and looked at his own painful past.
I hope the kids he molested will get the help they need. I hope while he is in prison he'll work on 'fixing' himself so he can leave his past behind as much as possible and contribute to society in a healthy way.
So he was convicted. That means in 14 years, we can be concerned for our kids again, and then if we catch him we'll have to pay for another trial and room and board for another 14 years. Just hang him.Â