An American pilot has been convicted of raping a 12-year-old autistic girl he met on Snapchat while stationed in the UK.
Despite knowing the victim’s age, Dennis Rocha, 18, changed their conversation sexually and agreed to pick her up the next day. He drove 140 miles from his base at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk to meet the victim in Wiltshire in April this year.
Rocha from Beck Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk, collected the girl from her home address and took her to a secluded spot, where the couple had intercourse in his car.
Yesterday Swindon Crown Court heard that the sexual activity was consensual and no force had been used.
The girl told police at the time that she regretted it and was angry with herself. Her mother said her daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was just four years old – and still struggles to cope to this day.
American pilot Dennis Rocha, 18, has been convicted of raping a 12-year-old autistic girl he met on Snapchat while stationed in the UK
She said her daughter has communication problems, doesn’t want to talk to strangers, can’t make eye contact, doesn’t socialize with friends and can’t handle regular education.
The girl told police she was sorry this had affected others, including her mother, who she said wanted her to be older and in love when she lost her virginity.
Rocha was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison and a one-year license extension for two counts of rape of a child under the age of 13.
Chris Smyth, prosecutor, said during the meeting, which lasted about an hour, the couple had intercourse several times. On one of the occasions the condom slipped off.
In her victim’s personal statement provided to police at the time, the girl said, “I’m afraid I could be pregnant and I won’t find out until next week.”
Convict Judge James Townsend said, “You had ample opportunity to think twice about what you were doing, but you persevered.
“You knew she was much younger than you and clearly vulnerable. The fact that she agreed to what happened is not an extenuating circumstance given her age.’
The defendant was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders’ register upon release. He was also placed on the DBS block list.
The U.S. Air Force California Air Force pilot was described as a “kind-hearted and gentle young man” in several character references provided to the court, according to attorney Sam Jones.
“Only when he returned to base did the reality of what he had done sink in,” he said.
Yesterday at Swindon Crown Court (pictured), 18-year-old Dennis Rocha was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison
He added that Rocha “sincerely regrets his actions” and told Judge Townsend that his victim’s consent to the sexual activity was of “some significance.”
Mr Jones asked the court to take into account his client’s youthfulness, inexperience, naivete and lack of maturity – coupled with his own sexual inexperience and the loneliness of being away from home.
Addressing the court via video link from Bullingdon Prison, Rocha said: ‘First of all I would like to apologize to the family and everyone I have hurt through this incident.
“I wish this had never happened… and I’m so sorry, I hope you can forgive me and have mercy on me.”
Investigating Officer DC Amanda Lord, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: ‘Rocha was the instigator of this meeting with the victim despite knowing she was underage.
He knew what he was doing was illegal and had ample opportunity to cut off contact with the victim, but went ahead and took advantage of her for his own gain.
“We take offenses like this incredibly seriously and we will always strive to protect children from predators like Rocha and ensure that perpetrators of sex offenses are brought to justice.
“I also want to commend the victim for her courage and courage to talk to us.”