LIHUE — A Kauai County jury found a Hanapepe man guilty on three counts of sexual assault Friday. Larry Cass Ragasa, 45, was accused of sexually assaulting a relative more than 10 years ago. He was found guilty on two
LIHUE — A Kauai County jury found a Hanapepe man guilty on three counts of sexual assault Friday.
Larry Cass Ragasa, 45, was accused of sexually assaulting a relative more than 10 years ago. He was found guilty on two counts of sexual assault in the first degree and one count of sexual assault in the fourth degree, according to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
When Ragasa appeared before Judge Kathleen Watanabe Tuesday, he was facing an additional count of sexual assault in the fourth degree. But the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on that count, the release said. Ragasa was found guilty of committing multiple sexual acts against a relative who was around 13 years old at the time.
The incidents began in 2002, and continued for the next eight years, the victim said. The victim said in court she didn’t tell police because Ragasa said if she told anyone, her family would be destroyed. She also said she thought she was protecting his young daughter.
“It took a lot of courage for the victim in this case to come forward and tell her story,” said Justin Kollar, prosecuting attorney.
Ragasa was represented by Craig De Costa.
He is scheduled to be sentenced June 1 and is facing 20 to 41 years in prison.
