Former Athol man sentenced to 25-30 years in prison in 'horrific' abuse case

A 51-year-old man was sentenced to 25 to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to 27 charges relating to the rape and sexual abuse of three people over several years in what a judge called “horrific “.

Jose Oquendo, formerly of Athol, pleaded guilty Thursday to four counts of aggravated rape of a child, seven counts of indecent assault and battery of a person over 14, three counts of he charge of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, battery and photographing a naked child, the office of Northwest District Attorney David E. Sullivan said in a statement.

Prosecutors with the District Attorney's Office had asked Franklin Superior Court Judge David Hodge to impose a sentence of 25 to 30 years in prison for Oquendo. Isaac Maas, Oquendo's lawyer, asked for a sentence of 15 to 20 years.

Assistant Northwest District Attorney Anne Yereniuk, who prosecuted the case, praised Oquendo's accusers for coming forward.

“The victims are examples of resilience and heroism,” she said. “Without their courage, this defendant would never have been held accountable.”

Oquendo will also serve five years of probation after his prison term is completed, on the condition that he have no contact with the victims, complete sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender, according to the release.

In a sentencing memo, Yereniuk said the probationary sentence “provides guarantees for the safety of victims, allows them to be accountable for their whereabouts and provides a means to prevent their reoffending and crimes against others.” other vulnerable people. The sentence prosecutors recommended “would hold the defendant accountable for the psychological devastation he has caused,” Yereniuk wrote in the memo.

“These facts are extraordinary and therefore merit a departure from the guidelines,” she added.

In setting the sentence, Hodge said the “horrific nature” of Oquendo's crimes justified the punishment.