A Nevada man who was sexually abused by his babysitter as a child punched the now 80-year-old perpetrator in the face in court after he was convicted.
Tylor Fu, 29, testified against Richard Gross, 80, and helped secure his conviction on 26 felony counts of sexual abuse of a child.
But Gross, a family friend, got a plea deal and avoided jail time: he received a suspended sentence.
Fu said he was furious about the arrangement and lashed out at Gross during the Oct. 2 sentencing, sending him to the hospital.
“I was extremely angry,” he told 8 News Now.
“I know he’s old, but that doesn’t change the damage he caused, the horrific consequences I endured for decades, and it wasn’t justice at all.”
Richard Gross, 80, received a suspended sentence for sexually abusing Tylor Fu between the ages of eight and 15
Fu, now a married father of two, said he was abused between the ages of eight and 15.
In 2019, Fu’s wife showed him a news article about sexual abuse, prompting him to file a police report.
Fu filed a lawsuit against Gross and his wife in Clark County District Court in 2021 for assault and battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence and negligent supervision.
“I really tried to put it aside and move on and be strong, but as you get older you start to realize more what went wrong, and I saw exactly where my problems came from,” Fu said.
He told the news station he was shocked by the sentence handed down by Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones.
“It just doesn’t make sense how someone can abuse a child multiple times and just walk away without any jail time,” he said.
Gross is pictured in the courtroom, moments before Fu jumped up and punched him
Gross was given a suspended sentence, which infuriated Fu
Jones has a suspended sentence of 60 to 180 months imposed by the Nevada Department of Corrections, meaning he will not be jailed unless he violates the terms of his probation.
After punching Gross, causing him to fall unconscious to the ground, Fu was handcuffed and arrested for misdemeanor assault.
Gross said he briefly lost consciousness and was taken to UMC Trauma. His wife said his glasses were broken.
Fu was insolent.
He said he has taken legal action to encourage others to speak out and not suffer in silence.
“It just feels like the right thing to do and I really want all the kids out there to know that if you have been sexually abused, it’s not right and you need to report it,” Fu said.
“We cannot tolerate child sexual abuse, and it is absolutely one of the worst crimes a human being can commit and it must be stopped.”
Fu is now raising money to pay his legal fees for the battery case brought by Gross
He is now being sued by Gross for battery damages and has launched a Go Fund Me page to help pay his legal bills.
“I’ve been through hell and back,” he wrote.
“The justice system failed me in this case and did not sentence Richard Gross to any prison time, even though the grand jury initially charged him with 26 felonies.
“I know there are many children and adults who have gone through this and I want you to know that you have the power to come forward, tell your loved ones, report your abusers to the police and seek justice.” find.’