Sex abuse sentence is 60 years

At sentencing Monday, Matthew Trapp was sentenced to three 20-year prison terms to be served consecutively, following his conviction of three-counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12.

Trapp, 30, Phil Campbell was indicted May 2015 after the victim accused him of the abuse, which took place in 2008-2010. He was convicted following a two-day jury trial in August 2016.

“It was situation where a former relative of his accused him of touching her inappropriately on three separate occasions when she was between the ages of 6-8 years old,” explained district attorney Joey Rushing. “She came forward in 2013.”

The victim, who is now 14, was present but did not speak during the sentencing hearing. During her guardian’s testimony during the sentencing hearing, Rushing said Trapp became confrontational, shouting “liar!” and accosting the victim.

“He yelled at her that he was going away for 20 years based on a lie,” Rushing said. “He confronted her over and over. He was very angry, and after he was through, the judge said how we treat our young people says the most about our society.”

Rushing said his office had requested the maximum allowable sentence of 20 years for each count, to be served consecutively, which was the sentence imposed by the judge. Trapp will have no parole possibility but can appeal the conviction. Rushing said the judge set an appeal bond of $750,000; Trapp will remain in jail or prison unless he posts that appeal bond, pending the appeal, and will serve his complete sentence if the conviction stands.

“The sentencing result was something we believe was fair considering what the jury convicted him of,” Rushing said. “That was a pretty hefty, major sentencing.”

Rushing said because of the nature of the incidents of sexual touching, there was no physical evidence presented during the trial, “but there was a lot of witness testimony from professionals who had examined her, law enforcement, family members, a lot of different individuals who had witnessed things at the time,” Rushing said. “It was an important case we felt strongly about.”