20-year sentence ordered for sex assault of minor

Judge says Kahului man ‘doesn’t seem too sorry’ for victim

WAILUKU -- A Kahului man convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl was sentenced Wednesday to prison terms totaling 20 years.

Ricky Tabag, 25, was convicted of criminal acts beginning when the girl, who is a relative, was 12 years old and in the 7th grade, said Deputy Prosecutor Karen Droscoski.

But "he began victimizing her as early as 10 years old," Droscoski said.

"She would tell him she didn't want to, but he would do it anyway," Droscoski said.

She said the girl estimated Tabag had sex with her 40 times.

In a statement that Droscoski read in court, the girl said, "I was supposed to have a normal childhood. I pretended I had one.

"I grew up worrying about how I was going to hide what you did to me."

Her foster mother said the girl's family didn't support her when she came forward to say what was happening.

"She's a good girl," the foster mother said. "She deserves justice."

Tabag had pleaded no contest to four reduced counts of second-degree sexual assault. Four other counts were dismissed in exchange for his pleas.

According to court records, the sexual assaults occurred from July 2012 to May 2014.

Tabag asked to be placed on probation.

His attorney, David Wiltsie, said Tabag was "very remorseful."

"He did own up to what he did," Wiltsie said.

He said Tabag remembered having sex with the girl three or four times.

Tabag, who was provided with an Ilocano interpreter by the court, is subject to an immigration detainer based on his residency status, Wiltsie said.

"What would be the point of a long prison term if the intent is to actually deport him?" Wiltsie said. "Give him a chance to prove that he can and has learned from this event."

Second Circuit Judge Richard Bissen said that when Tabag was asked to describe his involvement in the case, he said the girl wanted the sexual contact.

"He said the reason he regretted it was because she was a member of the family," Bissen said. "He acknowledges that it was not right. He feels embarrassed. He wants to save his marriage, and he regrets that he's embarrassed his wife or her relatives.

"He doesn't seem too sorry for the impact on the victim, who's not only lost her childhood. She lost her family as a result of this."

Bissen said Tabag's statements reflected his thinking that "this is all about him."

"It was all about him at the time he committed these selfish offenses to satisfy his own desires or needs," Bissen said. "He cannot bring himself to feel any empathy for the victim."

Bissen said Tabag had the power in the situation.

"The fact that you offered her money also indicates you knowing what you were doing was wrong, trying to buy her favor, her silence," Bissen said.

The judge said Tabag would have to register as a sex offender for life.

"My only hope is that this is not irreversible" for the girl "so she can live the life she deserves to live," Bissen said.

He ordered that Tabag serve three 10-year prison terms at the same time but separately from a fourth 10-year prison term for a total prison sentence of 20 years.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.