Judge sentences convicted child molester to life term

Bill Gang

Thursday, July 29, 1999 | 11 a.m.

A psychologist who examined a 27-year-old man convicted of molesting three young boys concluded there is a good chance he would do it again if given a chance at an early release from prison.

In sentencing Aaron Castro on Wednesday, District Judge Michael Douglas did his best to ensure that would not happen.

He sentenced Castro to a life prison term plus 61 years for his eight convictions, which included one count of sexually assaulting a minor. Castro, who maintains his innocence, won't be able to apply for parole until he has served 40 years.

Defense attorney Lew Wolfbrandt urged Douglas to have all sentences run at the same time. That would have made Castro eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

But Deputy District Attorney Teresa Lowry reminded the judge at the sentencing hearing that there were four other victims who were known to the prosecution but not part of the trial that ended in a guilty verdict on April 21.

In the back of the courtroom, two of the young victims and their families awaited the fate of the man who had once been a friend and confidant. Castro's ability to elicit trust from young and old alike made him a danger, Lowry said.

Between court hearings the boys laughed and played, giving no outward signs of the psychological scars that Douglas said he believes they will carry throughout their lives.

"They have lost their innocence forever," the judge said. "There are people he touched who will never be the same."

Lowry noted that one of Castro's victims already has gone on to molest an even younger boy.

The prosecutor said Castro would befriend boys under the age of 10 and then befriend their parents, often volunteering to watch the youngsters while the parents went out.

During these times Castro molested the boys, sometimes under the guise of a game, Lowry said.

One boy, however, became uncomfortable with the activities and told his parents.

Lowry said detectives identified seven victims "but I suspect that is just the tip of the iceberg."

She noted that even while he was under investigation, Castro "sought out another boy."

"I fear the day this man is released," she said.

Castro, however, claimed that if he had access to better expert witnesses and if there been a better investigation, the outcome would have been different. Castro is expected to raise those issues in his appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

He didn't apologize to the victims in the courtroom, but he said he was sorry they had to go through the court process.

"This is one of the hardest crimes to beat," Castro said. "Now I understand how easy it is to get convicted and how hard it is to prove my innocence."