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A 12th grade senior was caught having sex with his 9th grade freshmen girlfriend. Is this a case of statutory rape?
A recent arrest in West Hartford, Connecticut involved 18-year-old Keith Armstrong who remained in jail because of an “illicit tryst” with his 15-year-old girlfriend. Police reported that consensual sex occurred between the teens. Parents are the ones who take care of managing their teenager’s irresponsible sexual behaviors but now it seems that even the government is stepping in.
The annual Youth Risk Behavior survey conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that almost half of teens in high school have engaged in sexual intercourse. The survey further states that 30 percent of girls in the 9th grade are having sex. Is this where the police should step in?
Keith Armstrong happened to come from a problematic background and was living with Police Chief James Strillacci, who was known for opening up his home to the youth that came from broken homes.
Of course this case does not describe one of a perverted adult who preyed on a 15-year old girl. But because Armstrong was 3 years and 15 days older than his girlfriend, he was charged with second-degree sexual assault. This crime is punishable with at least 9 months in the slammer. If he is convicted he may have to register as a sexual offender and his picture will be posted on the internet to warn others along with the pedophiles. You must be wondering how exactly all this became an issue for the police?
The legislature revised the law last year and prohibited sex between teens when a minimum gap of 3 years exists. It can be noted that most states define statutory rape with a four-year gap. Obviously police have been applying this revision very strictly as Armstrong just barely beat the cut by about 2 weeks and will have to face being prosecuted for a felony. The State Representative Michael Lawlor, who was actually a former co-chair of the judiciary committee and a prosecutor, commented that the legislature ought to revise the law to an age difference of 4 years. Lawlor said: “It is very unforgiving. It treats kids more seriously than a 50-year-old guy flashing kids at a bus stop. You are ruining someone's life when you convict a kid under this law.” |
