A Mabton man was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison Wednesday for sexually abusing two minors.
Joseph Leonard Roy, 58, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to two counts of abusive sexual contact of a minor. He was accused of sexually groping two girls who were 10 and 11 years old between May 2017 and May 2018. Roy was arrested after one of the girls told a family member, who then alerted authorities, according to court documents.
The case was tried in U.S. District Court because Roy is a Yakama Nation citizen, and the girls were molested at a home on tribal land.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy asked for a 21-year sentence followed by 20 years on supervised release. Roy's criminal history dates back almost 30 years, with his most recent conviction being for fourth-degree domestic violence assault, as well as the nature of the crime, Murphy said.
Defense attorney Rick Hernandez sought a 14-year-sentence, noting that Roy's father whipped him with a belt and kicked him with boots until he was 10, when his father left home. Both his parents were alcoholics, Hernandez argued, and Roy started drinking at age 12, as well as becoming addicted to marijuana.
Those factors, as well as untreated mental health conditions, contributed to Roy's crimes, Hernandez argued in court documents. He said the 14-year sentence was sufficient punishment and would allow Roy to get help for his issues.
In addition to the 21-year sentence, Judge Stanley Bastian ordered Roy to serve 20 years on federal supervision when he is released from prison.
