Hampton man gets 9-20 years for child sex assaults

HAMPTON - A local man was sentenced to 9 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stating he sexually abused an 8-year-old child over the course of several months.

Angelo Hernandez, 54, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Rockingham Superior Court to two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, according to Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Haggar. The prison time stems from the first charge and he also received a 10- to 20-year suspended sentence on the second charge.

Haggar said two of the nine years in Hernandez's minimum sentence may also be suspended if he completes a sex offender treatment program.

Hampton police received a report of a sexual assault on a minor on Aug. 16 and identified the suspect in the report as Hernandez. Through victim and witness reports, police learned the pattern of abuse included sexual penetration of the child. Hernandez was arrested on Aug. 18.

Haggar said a victim impact statement was submitted and read during Hernandez's sentencing Wednesday.

"It's important defendants take responsibility for their actions and that the victim can know and appreciate that (they) have been heard," Haggar said.