A 33-year-old Arapahoe man was sentenced in Furnas County District Court Thursday in connection with the sexual abuse of a young female. District Judge Jim Doyle ordered Casey T. Heinen to a term of 30 to 40 years in prison for First Degree Sexual Assault and a term of 30 to 40 years for Intentional Child Abuse resulting in serious bodily injury and harm to the victim. Both sentences are to be served consecutively or one after the other. He was given credit for 241 days already served and he must register as a sex offender for life.
Furnas County Attorney Morgan Farquhar said the sexual abuse was ongoing over four years and would have continued had it not been for a family member speaking up and law enforcement intervention. The case is not connected to an ongoing sex trafficking investigation in Furnas County.
During the sentencing hearing, a gynecologist testified for the prosecution that there had to have been “repeated sexual exposure or some type of instrumentation” to have caused chronic trauma over time. Heinen’s sister testified to Heinen’s character in his defense.
Defense Attorney Justin Daake said Heinen understands that what he did was wrong and appreciates the seriousness of that conduct.
Heinen told Judge Doyle that he accepted full responsibility for his actions and was deeply sorry for all who are affected by it.
Judge Doyle said he found Heinen as not a fit candidate for probation which he said would have seriously depreciated from the seriousness of the crimes.
