Case reveals predator's tactics
Sex crimes - Video and photos help send a Portland man to prison for abusing a girl
Saturday, May 30, 2009
AIMEE GREEN
The Oregonian Staff
Gustavo David Fuentes, 26, told his 14-year-old victim that she was "hot."

He videotaped himself having sex with her, telling her the two would watch the video on their wedding day. And he asked her what it was like to have sex with a "rock star," referring to himself.

A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge sentenced Fuentes -- who now is a convicted sex offender -- to 162/3 years in prison Friday. A jury convicted the Southeast Portland husband and father in April of 29 counts of producing child pornography, possessing child pornography, sexual abuse and statutory rape in 2007 and 2008.

Fuentes' case offers a rare glimpse into the psychology of sexual predators and the tactics they use to groom their young victims, Deputy District Attorney John Casalino said. Fuentes, who insisted on his innocence, brought the case to trial. During the trial, 12 jurors watched video he had recorded of his crimes. In it, they heard his flirtations, his giggles, the things he said to gain the trust of his victim.

Experts say child predators often try to make their victims feel special, give them extra attention and tell them how much they care for them.

Jurors also viewed photographs Fuentes had taken of the girl, some clothed and some not.

"Generally, (defendants) don't subject everyone to that in the courtroom," Casalino said.

Fuentes' wife found the photographs on Fuentes' computer and the video on a camcorder in the closet. She told relatives, who called police. Fuentes is related to the victim.

Fuentes' case also is unusual because most defendants don't go to trial with such powerful evidence against them.

During Fuentes' sentencing hearing Friday, his defense attorney told the judge that Fuentes weighed only 120 pounds and was terrified of going to prison.

"His thinking process was very paralyzed," attorney Scott Raivio said.

Raivio said Fuentes, who has an immigration hold placed on him, probably will be deported at the end of his prison sentence.

Judge John Wittmayer said Fuentes had the right to go to trial, and he wouldn't hold that against him.

Fuentes apologized for his crimes and said he's asked God to forgive him.

In asking for leniency, Fuentes' sister said he was a good person and that she'd trust him alone with her two daughters.

The prosecutor asked the judge to give Fuentes nearly 22 years in prison. His defense attorney asked for less than six years, the minimum that Oregon law allows. The judge had the ability to sentence Fuentes to more than 100 years.

Aimee Green: 503-294-5119; aimeegreen@news.oregonian.com

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