LANCASTER, Pa.– A Lancaster man will not have his original 20-year prison sentence reduced for repeated rape of a child.
Samuel Santiago, 41, will serve 20 to 40 years for his 9-year run of repeated abuse.
Previously, Santiago had his sentence vacated because it involved mandatory minimum terms, which were deemed unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
On Friday, Judge Ashworth ordered the sentence on counts of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and indecent exposure.
Santiago maintained his innocence when the jury convicted after an hour of deliberation.
The judge stressed that Santiago abused the girl for many years at multiple locations in Lancaster City while his wife was operating a daycare.
According to Assistant District Attorney James Reeder, the victim, who is now a college student, told the judge on Friday that the abuse had a long-lasting impact. The girl was 4 when the abuse started.
Now, Santiago will return to prison, without his sentence being reduced or vacated.
