17 year old Bloomington, IL rapist gets 92 years for attack, burglaries

A 17 year old who was convicted of raping a 20 year old woman, describing it as “a one night stand” was sentenced to 92 years in prison. Yarii Massey was convicted of several burglaries in Spring 2007, culminating in the rape of a Bloomington, IL woman in May 2007.

Before the sentencing, Massey said that the sex with the victim was consensual, and occurred after she gave him a ride home. He also said that his mother took him to Bloomington so he could escape gangs, and prison “will be a gang-related place. I’m either gonna be a violent person or a dead person.”

Defense lawyer Larry Spears asked for Massey to be sentenced to the minimum of 80 years behind bars, and that “anything else would be overkill.” First Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Campbell said that the maximum sentence of 104 years is needed because “he doesn’t deserve to ever see the light of day in society again.” Judge Charles Reynard split the difference, sentencing Massey to 92 years.

A written statement submitted by the victim referred to May 25, 2007, as “awful beyond words.”

“I was hurt so bad and the pain dug so deep, I did not even know how to handle it at times,” said the woman who was not in court.

In imposing the sentence, Reynard told Massey the teen possessed “a dangerousness that ought to be reflected in the court’s sentence.”

Reynard said sexual assault is a crime that leaves behind victims who must repair physical and emotional damage. That damage is the reason lawmakers have approved prison terms for sexual offenses that extend beyond the punishment for murder, said Reynard.

Sexual assault “is an offense that keeps on giving its offense again and again and again,” the judge said.

Massey received 72 years for 4 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, 16 years for 2 counts of criminal sexual assault, and 4 years for the burglary. All sentences will be served consecutively, and the sexual assault sentences must be served at 85%, while the burglary sentence can be served at 50%. This gives a total of 76.8 years to serve, assuming all of Massey’s available good time is earned. He plans to appeal the sentence.

First Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Campbell said after the hearing that the sentence will protect other potential crime victims.

“We’re pleased to get justice for the victim and that he’s not going to be committing any crimes against people in the future,” said Campbell.