BOSTON, Nov. 6, 2014—A young abuse survivor had a message of strength and support for other victims as the Dorchester man who exploited her was sentenced to prison, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury on Monday convicted EDGAR SOARES (D.O.B. 9/29/77) of three counts of rape of a child under 16, a single count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and two counts of disseminating harmful matter to a minor.  Jurors acquitted Soares of one additional count each of rape of a child under 16 and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

At his sentencing yesterday, Assistant District Attorney Alissa Goldhaber recommended a sentence of 18 to 25 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation.  Judge Christine Roach sentenced Soares to 12 to 15 years in prison and 10 years of probation, during which Soares must register as a sex offender, complete sex offender treatment, submit to GPS monitoring, undergo a psychological evaluation, and accept any treatment deemed necessary.  He is also barred from having direct or indirect contact with the victim, her family, witnesses in the case, and any child under age 16 unless the child’s parent or guardian is present.

Prior to sentencing, the survivor delivered an empowering impact statement to the court.

“I wouldn’t wish for this to happen to anyone, not even my worst enemy,” she said.  “For anyone who has ever gone through this or is still going through this, you are stronger than what happened to you, you are more than the situation, and you don’t have to let it control your life and your future.”

During the five-day trial, Goldhaber presented evidence and testimony to prove that Soares was known to the victim as a friend of her family and used that position of trust to arrange numerous opportunities to be alone with her during 2010 and 2011, starting when the victim was 12 years old.  At trial, the victim, now 17, testified that Soares assaulted her at his home and other locations on several different dates.  She also told the jury that Soares showed her pornography, some of which appeared to depict children.

The victim disclosed the abuse to a friend who convinced her to tell her mother.  The victim’s mother confronted Soares, at which time he admitted to assaulting the victim. Boston Police were notified in April 2011 and began an investigation alongside prosecutors assigned to the DA’s Child Protection Unit.  The Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted Soares in July of that year.

During trial preparations, the victim met with Indy, a facility dog acquired by Conley’s office in August to work alongside prosecutors and advocates to assist child victims of physical and sexual abuse during forensic interviews and the often intimidating judicial process.  This marked the first time a case that Indy took part in has been brought to trial.

“Disclosing abuse at the hands of a trusted adult can be one of the most difficult things a child ever does.  This remarkable young woman had the courage to not only disclose the abuse to those close to her, but to then describe it to police and prosecutors, and finally confront her abuser in a courtroom full of strangers.  Her courage was absolutely crucial to holding this man accountable for his actions and preventing him from victimizing other children,” Conley said.

Molly Maidman was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.  Soares was represented by Steven Goldwyn.

–30–

All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.