A judge who found an 18-year-old man guilty of se*xual as*sault refused to impose the mandatory minimum four-year prison term required for convictions. Later citing that decision was “unconstitutional” and likely to be overturned on an appeal, the judge decided to dismiss the charges against him altogether. The man served 148 total days in jail before the judge made the decision.
The As*sault
A girl who was 16 years old and Drew Clinton, who was 18 years old, were at a party in May 2021 to celebrate their graduation. Whatever do they think a “swimsuit” is? The girl drank a few drinks and swam in a pool while wearing her underwear before she passed out on a coach. After a short time, she woke up with a pillow over her face and Clinton ra*ping her.
The victim pushed Clinton off of her and told her dad and a friend right away what had happened. There was an accident, so her dad called the police. Clinton was jailed after being charged with se*xual ass*ault.
Guilty; Sentence Reversed Four Months Later
It was in October 2021 that Judge Robert Adrian found Clinton guilty of felony s*exual ass*ault. In January 2022, less than four months later, the judge said he would not give the mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison.
The court transcript of the hearing that was posted online by local media says Adrian said, “Mr. Clinton has served almost five months in the county jail, 148 days.” “That’s enough punishment for what happened here.” That sentence is fair.
The judge said, “There is no way that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections for what happened in this case.” “I’m not going to do that.”
Since it was said that the victim “asked for it,” I think the judge agrees. She drank alcohol and swam in her underwear. Just think about how that would make you feel about women!
On top of that, the judge said that if he decided that the sentencing law he had to follow was unconstitutional, that would mean Clinton would have to serve the four-year sentence instead of him. Instead of taking that chance, the judge said the prosecutors had not “prove their case” and dropped the se*xual as*sault charge against Clinton. He was free.
Dad Says it Best
Speaking to Muddy River News, the victim’s father stated:
“That was a low blow.” It’s clear that you haven’t done justice to my daughter. I’ve been by my daughter’s bedside for three, four, or five months. She’s not feeling well because of this. That this did not happen is based on way too many things that did happen. What should I have done as a parent while this guy was ripping me?
“Pardon my language, but I feel like I was s**t all over by this judge.”
The survivor says they will keep fighting for justice, even though the ruling was made. In a chat with DailyMail.com, she said, “It’s scary to talk about this in public, especially when a judge makes choice like this.”
“What happened to me isn’t something that happens, and we have to keep fighting for justice.”
Judge Removed From Criminal Cases
Since this case caused a lot of trouble, Judge Adrian was taken off of overseeing criminal cases.
Ra*pe Statistics and Information
Every six American women and every 33 American men have been r*aped or have had a ra*pe attempt made on them at some point in their lives. A person is se*xually ass*aulted every 68 seconds in the U.S. This is even more shocking. People who have been s*exually as*saulted often feel bad right after the attack and then more trauma in the days, weeks, and months that follow. Survivors of se*xual ass*ault can experience depression and anxiety for years after the event. PTSD is another common condition that people who have been ra*ped experience. PTSD can be treated, but some symptoms can last a lifetime.
Toll-free at 1-800-656-4673, the National Se*xual A*ssault Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help and support victims and survivors of se*xual as*sault. It’s a free service.
