Sex Assault Sentence Deferred For Man Facing Deportation

Tue Sep 18, 6:12 PM ET

A man who pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 1992 and then withdrew the plea to avoid being deported to the Philippines was granted a deferred sentence in court on Tuesday.

Villamor Yasay pleaded no contest last June in the hopes of avoiding deportation.

He had already served 30 days in jail for third-degree sexual assault and kidnapping in a case involving an 11-year-old girl.

"What about justice for the victim in this case? All of that seems to be getting lost here as the focus has been on the defendant," Deputy Prosecutor Thalia Murphy said.

"The complaining witness in this case was devastated by this case, and everything that could've been done was done to try to alleviate her pain," defense attorney Victor Bakke said.

Circuit Judge Michael Town granted a five-year deferral of the sentence, which means Yasay could clear his record. The ruling may allow Yasay to remain in the country.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/kitv/20070918/lo_kitv/14144845