Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FARMINGTON — A West Bountiful man who got four teenagers drunk at a Halloween party at his house, then violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl, was sentenced to prison Monday.
Justin Dee Robinson, 42, was sentenced Monday to concurrent terms of at least five years in prison for rape and forcible sodomy, both first-degree felonies.
Robinson pleaded guilty to the charges in March in exchange for the dismissal of 16 additional charges of rape and object rape, forcible sodomy, forcible sexual abuse, furnishing alcohol for minors, and contributing to the delinquency of minors. Prosecutors at the time also recommended that prison terms for Robinson run concurrently.
On Oct. 31, 2015, a boy and three girls — all teens — went to Robinson's house, 1215 Jessi's Meadow Way, where Robinson provided them with alcohol and they all became intoxicated, according to police.
According to a search warrant affidavit, the 17-year-old girl "had several drinks including Jagermeister, Fireball and Bud Light, and became very intoxicated and passed out."
After the girl woke up on a bathroom floor, Robinson assaulted her there, the warrant states, and then took her to his bed where the violent sexual assault continued despite the girl's requests to stop.
"The victim told the defendant 'no' and begged him to stop. She described the assaults as very rough and painful," charging documents state.
After the assault, Robinson positioned himself outside the bedroom door so the girl could not leave, according to the affidavit. One of the other teens who had woken up and was looking for his cellphone saw part of the attack and sneaked the girl out a back door when Robinson wasn't looking, taking her to a nearby house for help, the warrant states.
Doctors who later examined the girl found obvious signs of trauma, according to the warrant.
In a statement filed prior to sentencing, Robinson's attorney, Ron Yengich, opposed the recommendation that he be sentenced to prison, arguing that he could instead be incarcerated in jail, released on parole and ordered to pay restitution.
According to the statement, Robinson "does not agree with everything that was stated in the police report." While the statement says Robinson accepts full responsibility for his actions, is also suggests that the alcohol he consumed "impacted his ability for self-control."
"(Robinson) does not blame the victim, or anyone else, and completely blames himself and has done so from the very first moment that he and counsel have discussed the matter," Yengich wrote. "He simply states the facts that he was highly, highly intoxicated and does not remember everything that occurred … but acknowledges that he had sexual congress with the victim against her will."
Yengich went on to dispute findings in the presentence report suggesting Robinson is at risk to reoffend, questioning the current sentencing structure in America's courts.
"In this case, the crime that (Robinson) committed is a terrible crime. … However, sentencing is not simply to make a statement to the victim or society at large, but to determine whether the defendant, at 42 years of age, should be taken out of society completely, or whether there are lesser available means of punishment and rehabilitation to make him a more productive member of society, after acknowledging his guilt," Yengich wrote.
The statement was accompanied by a long list of character reference letters from Robinson's family, friends and his girlfriend, who call him a kind and easy-going man, a hard worker and a dedicated father of three sons.
Those who have experienced sexual violence can be connected to trained advocates through Utah's statewide 24-hour Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 888-421-1100.
