Man From Lawrence, Mass., Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison On Manchester Child Sexual Assault Charges

MANCHESTER, NH — A man from Massachusetts was sentenced to 12 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl, according to John Couglin, the county attorney in Hillsborough County.

Jonas Vasquez, 33, was convicted in June for aggravated felonious sexual assault and attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault for repeatedly entering a 15-year-old girl’s room, when her mother was absent, and plying her with marijuana to impair her ability to resist. The attacks occurred on multiple occasions between June 2020 and January 2021.

When the victim reported the assault, Vasquez skipped town. The victim’s family also moved away, leaving her separated from her mother and siblings.

“During trial proceedings,” Coughlin said, “testimony highlighted the profound impact these crimes had on the victim, including her fear for her safety and the devastating effect on her relationship with her mother, whom she described as once being her best friend. The court also heard evidence of domestic violence in the home between Vasquez and the victim's mother, which further traumatized the victim and discouraged her from disclosing the abuse for a period of time.”

Judge Daniel Will expressed sympathy for the victim and commended her courage and fortitude throughout the legal process. He also said he hoped she would be able to close this painful chapter of her life.

Coughlin said Vasquez could shave two years off his sentence after completing a sex offender program.

The successful prosecution was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Manchester Police Department, Detective Scott Riley, Assistant County Attorney Laura Del Camp, Victim Advocates Amanda Lambert and Katrina Griffin, and paralegal Brittney Weiner of the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office.

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