Aaron Thomas, a.k.a. “The East Coast Rapist,” captured in 2011 and charged with the multiple rapes or attempted rapes of women from Va. to R.I. between 1997 and 2009, was sentenced to life in prison yesterday in a Prince William County, Va. courtroom, according to The Washington Post.
His sentencing yesterday was based on his 2009 Halloween attack of three teenage trick-or-treaters. Judge Mary Grace O’Brien gave Thomas the maximum sentence allowable under his charges which included abduction and rape.
The judge sentenced the 41-year-old Thomas to a total of three life sentences plus 80 additional years behind bars.
During his sentencing, the judge told Thomas that he “took a lot more than sex from those girls,” ultimately costing the three young girls their loss of childhood innocence, “their sense of security and their ability to trust.”
Two of Thomas’ rape victims, now college-aged, addressed their rapist in court as he sat just several feet away shackled in waist chains.
“I forgive you even though you hurt me really bad,” one of the women said.
The other said: “I forgive him and I pray for him, and I pray for his family that they will have peace.”
The mother of another of his victims also testified on her daughter’s behalf, saying that, “after she was raped, she just shut down to everyone.”
“She was always sad, always crying.”
East Coast Rapist Aaron Thomas will appear in court again later this month in Loudoun County, Va. for sentencing in a separate rape case.
Also see:
East Coast Rapist arrested in New Haven? Yes! (Photos)
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