Unsurprisingly Lenient Sentence for Rapist Cop
by Anthony Accurso
A now-former Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police officer was sentenced to just five years for five rapes and possession of child pornography. The rapes were reduced to misdemeanors, while the latter was a felony conviction.
The first victim came forward against Louisville Metro PD officer Pablo Cano in May 2017, filing a report that Cano came to her home in uniform and raped her. The following day, he raped her in her home again, though he was in plainclothes that time. Both times, the victim claims, Cano had his gun with him.
After the first victim came forward, three more women accused Cano of rape. At least two of the victims have also filed a civil suit against Cano and the police department.
The LMPD responded by placing Cano on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. During a review of electronic evidence in the case, investigators also reported child pornography on at least one device owned by the officer.
Cano pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual misconduct and one felony count of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. He was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. However, after completing a treatment program in prison, Cano may be released early on parole.
“It’s better he pleaded guilty to something and he’s no longer able to be a police officer and he’s serving [time],” said Shannon Fauver, attorney for the victims in the civil suit. “At least the women had some vindication that he’s admitted to doing something to them without their consent, which is important.”
Daniel Holtzclaw, another officer convicted of similar crimes, was sentenced to more than two centuries. But Cano’s sentence appears to be the rule, while Holtzclaw’s is the exception.
The Free Thought Project confirmed instances of kidnapping, rape, molestation, and impregnating a child by police officers around the country who will not serve a single day in prison for their crimes, nor will they have to register as sex offenders.
Such actions by law enforcement officers appear to go largely unpunished, even in the face of overwhelming evidence and admissions by the officers in question. True justice would entail lengthier sentences enhanced for abuses committed while acting under the color of the law.
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Source: thefreethoughtproject.com, newsmaven.io
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