Superior Court Judge Arthur Barcinas had a difficult time determining an appropriate sentence for John Liauw who was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor known to him.
The trial of John Liauw ended in a hung jury, but instead of a re-trial he took a deal, pleading no contest to two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Sentenced Thursday, he will serve six months of a suspended two-year sentence.
The victim, who was 14 years old at the time of the incident, told the court that she has been greatly affected by the incident making her an angry person and untrusting of men.
Liauw also spoke openly in court, begging for no jail time so that he could continue to work to provide for his daughter.
The government opposed, arguing that anything less than a 2-year sentence would send the message to the community that only some get jail time while others don’t as long as you’re a businessman or have a bachelor’s degree.
Liauw is set to self-surrender on Jan. 14, 2020 to the Department of Corrections and will need to register as a sex offender for 15 years following incarceration.
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