Victim, 14, speaks out about how Fairfax County prosecutors handled predator criminal case
FAIRFAX, Va. (7News) — Editor's Note: There may be some language in this story that may be inappropriate or sensitive in nature for some. Please be advised.
The family of a 14-year-old Virginia girl, a victim of an online predator, is demanding justice in connection to the sentencing of her abuser.
I-Team Investigator Scott Taylor spoke to the teen who shared her story warning about the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's Office --which the Virginia Attorney General's Office has already said is soft on crime.
READ | Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares slams "far-left prosecutors" Descano and Biberaj
EXCLUSIVE | CA Steve Descano responds to AG Jason Miyares' 'soft on crime' criticism
They tried to pressure me into making a decision without my family present and they treated me more of like the perpetrator rather than the victim of a crime,” said “Julie” who is now 16 years old.
Julie, not her real name, said she’s been traumatized. First, by a manipulating online predator. Then, by the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's Office.
Ryan Duarte, 39, met Julie online in 2020. He said he was a spy but actually lived with his mom in Kansas. Duarte, who never met Julie in person, used social network apps to groom her over months to eventually participate in sex acts and explicit chats.
"I think people like that just know what they are doing and know how to pull you in,” said Julie.
Her parents noticed big changes in Julie and restricted her access to devices.
Duarte didn't stop. He mailed Julie a new computer and filed a false complaint against Julie's family with Children Protective Services to drive Julie and her parents apart.
Julie's mom discovered more than 8,000 texts between them on Discord including:
Duarte to Julie: I was asking which position you wanted to the first time we had sex and how rough?
He also texted: I kill people for fun.
Julie's parents hired a private investigator and more evidence was found including 72 hours of calls. Soon after Fairfax County Police arrested Duarte.
Duarte has no criminal history but was charged with six felonies including the production of child pornography and faced a possible 60-year sentence.
That's when Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano took over and the nightmare continued.
"It was defiantly rough,” said Julie.
During a pre-trial hearing, Julie believed she would only answer a few questions and Duarte would be on a video monitor from jail. Instead, Descano's prosecutor forced her to relive the sexually explicit chats with Duarte sitting only a foot away.
Julie was shaken and that played a part in the prosecutor offering Duarte a plea deal.
“They pressured me into trying to give a plea deal to him because they wanted to end the case as quickly as possible,” said Julie.
“And you didn't want that?” asked 7News Investigative Reporter Scott Taylor.
“No,” said Julie.
Descano's office reduced Duarte's six felonies to two and a potential reduced maximum sentence of 20 years and a lifetime on Virginia's Sex Offenders List.
Durate took the deal.
Julie's family attorney, Jennifer Leffler, said the family never agreed.
“They were kind of shocked when we went to court and they didn’t know what was going on and they thought he was going to plead guilty to everything he was charged with,” said Leffler.
The family filed a court document telling Judge Michael Devine they were concerned that Duarte might not do any prison time and a potential 20-year max sentence doesn't justify the abuse and brainwashing.
“Any time there are issues that come up they rise to my level,” said Descano.
Descano, accused of going soft on criminals by the Virginia Attorney General's Office, said the plea deal was the right choice.
“We made the best decision we could for the community. Which is getting this individual off the street. Getting guaranteed accountability and keeping this young girl from further trauma,” said Descano.
7News reached out to Duarte who is currently in jail. His public defender responded with an email:
“We believe the plea agreement, in this case, was fair to both sides and is a typical plea agreement for cases like this. Ryan, who is chronically ill, cognitively impaired, and confined to a wheelchair, has always expressed his regret for his actions and has accepted responsibility by entering a guilty plea in this case.”
Amy M. Jordan
Office of the Public Defender
Fairfax County
Julie and her family are still upset.
“Did you personally reach out to the family of the 14-year-old victim?” asked 7News Investigative Reporter Scott Taylor.
“I have not spoken to the family. My prosecutors are handling this case are the ones who are discussing the matters or who have discussed matters with the victim and their family,” said Descano.
Julie is in therapy and has a message for other teens.
I would say rely on your family at all times. It's good to speak out and bring other people into this. Its going to seem hard when you are going through it but you'll get through it,” said Julie.
RESOURCES:
Here's how to protect your child from online predators: Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center
Here's more information for parents about child sex abuse: Talking to Your Kids About Sexual Assault