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Taylor Man Makes Plea Deal in Brutal Rape Case
Taylor Man Makes Plea Deal in Brutal Rape Case - Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 4:49PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Oct 6, 2009 @ 04:49pm EDT
LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- A man accused of beating and raping a 5-year-old girl made a deal in court Tuesday.
Police say Felix Montoya was the man behind the brutal crime. It happened over the 4th of July weekend in Taylor.
Montoya pleaded no contest to three charges. They include rape, aggravated assault and burglary. A "no contest" plea means Montoya will no longer fight the charges against him. He now faces between 15 years and life in prison.
It’s been three months since police arrested Felix Montoya for attacking a 5-year-old girl inside her own bedroom. They say he beat her, bit her and raped her.
Tuesday Montoya entered a "no contest" plea to three charges against him. Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico said, “This has been a horrifically difficult case -- for this family -- for this community -- for everyone."
The attack happened over July 4th weekend at the Maple Manor Mobile Home Park. The young girl was beaten so severely she needed surgery. “We're pushing for the maximum sentence that the law allows, as you heard, that sentence is life plus 40 years," said Talerico.
Family members of the young girl didn't want to speak on camera after the plea, but they did want to thank the community for their support.
They're just happy the young girl won't have to testify about what she endured in open court. Their former neighbors agree. “That's a good thing -- because I don't think she should have to. I think what she's gone through is enough,” said Duggan.
The family is also now asking the public to send letters to the courthouse and sentencing Judge Michael Barasse to show their outrage over this crime. The address can be found at the bottom of this story.
Assistant District Attorney Michelle Olshefski said, “This is an opportunity for people to express their outrage and their anger and tell the judge exactly what they want to see happen to this man."
Prosecutors still don't know what motivated Montoya to attack the young girl, but they say he had been drinking.
People in Maple Manor Mobile Home Park in Taylor also want justice. Bertha Hendershot said, “I think he should spend the rest of his life in jail. He tried to kill her."
Deanna Mercadante added, “I think that he should definitely get either life -- or something even more severe than that."
Alice Duggan said, “I don't think 15 is enough...He's taken away her life, actually, she's just a little girl."
Many people here in Taylor remember the shocking crime like it was yesterday. They call it savage since the girl was also bitten.
“I can't stand people that would do that to a child. They don't have a choice whether to say 'yes or no' -- or anything. They're too young," added Mercadante.
As for the young girl, prosecutors say she's continuing to heal. “Children are incredibly resilient and she is one of those incredible examples," added Talerico.
The family of the victim is asking people to write to the sentencing judge -- Judge Michael Barasse --- and express their outrage over the crime.
Judge Michael Barasse
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503
Soon after the attack, the district attorney's office set up a fund for the little girl. Since that time more than 100 letters and pictures were sent in. They've also received money and toys.
The Marley Fund
c/o PNC Bank
201 Penn Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
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