Stepfather previously convicted
JOHNSTON COUNTY – Following a two week trial in Johnston County Superior Court, a 43 year-old woman has been convicted of first-degree forcible rape, first-degree forcible sex offense, sexual servitude, and incest. Zuammett Velasco was found guilty and sentenced to serve between 40 and 58 years in state prison.
On August 20, 2020, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a sexual assault involving a female victim under the age of 18. Authorities said the victim went to her mother’s residence and while at the home, sexual activity occurred between the victim and her stepfather, Gamaliel Hernandez, 32, of Barnes Road, Middlesex. Authorities said the mother had knowledge of the sexual assault on her juvenile daughter by her husband, the victim’s stepfather.
Before Velasco and Hernandez could be arrested on the charges they fled from Johnston County. They were later apprehended in Indio, California and returned to Smithfield to stand trial.
Velasco’s trial ended February 3, 2022. She was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Rebecca Holt to a minimum of 40 years to a maximum of 58 years in prison
Gamaliel Hernandez previously entered a guilty plea to his charges. He is now serving a prison term of 6 years to 12 years 3 months behind bars.
Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson said, “The District Attorney’s office is pleased with the sentence imposed. We are also very grateful to the brave survivor of these crimes. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for coming forward and for her brave testimony. We also appreciate the hard work of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. Lead Detective Blane Hicks worked tirelessly to bring this defendant to justice. Finally, we are grateful to the jurors who were able to recognize the horrible truth in this case. These crimes were heinous and involved the ultimate betrayal of trust, and we are pleased the Jury delivered justice through their verdicts. The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue justice for survivors of violent crimes and harsh punishments for sexual predators.”
“The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue justice for survivors of violent crimes and harsh punishments for sexual predators.”
That is, unless you’re a current county commissioner.
Sheesh
How the stepfather didn’t receive the same sentence!!
Plea agreement 🤝
This is crazy ! why did the step father get a lighter sentence
I heard he took a plea as where she did not.
I don’t care what kind of “plea agreement”, he should have gotten the same amount of time, HE DID IT!!!
hang them both!!!
Why did he get such a light sentence? It plainly states that they ran. They were found in California. Why wasn’t he sentenced for running from justice? All the officers talking about what a horrible thing this was, why did you let him get away with it?
“We all owe her a debt of gratitude for coming forward and for her brave testimony…” Yeah and allow the man that raped her be free when she will probably have children of her own.
The DA Office should see how it feels to be taken advantage of, just to see their attacker get a light sentence like that. Absolute garbage Johnston County.
Johnston county garbage court
Johnston county garbage court system