Judge Gives Child Rapist 8-Year Term

After spending Christmas at home this year, a Spokane Valley man who repeatedly raped a young girl will spend his next Christmas in prison, a judge ruled.

Bruce J. Johnson, who was convicted on three counts of first-degree child rape last month, was sentenced on Thursday to eight years in prison, the maximum standard sentence.

Upon his release, Johnson, 48, will have to register as a sex offender.

Friends and family members of the victim, now 13, breathed a collective sigh of relief and exchanged hugs when Spokane County Superior Court Judge Kathleen O’Connor announced her decision. The sentencing hearing lasted nearly three hours, with emotional pleas by both sides.

“I’m glad it’s over,” the victim’s mother said. “I just feel great.”

A jury found Johnson guilty in November of raping the girl when she was between the ages of 5 and 7. Johnson remained free while he awaited sentencing.

Johnson’s victim was the daughter of a woman whom he lived with from 1988 to 1990.

Assistant prosecutor Carol Davis asked O’Connor to consider an exceptional sentence, recommending 16 years.

Under today’s guidelines, a 16-year sentence would fall within the standard range.

But, because the most recent crime occurred more than five years ago, the law required Johnson be sentenced by standards from that time unless O’Connor found a need to deliver an exceptional sentence.

The victim “depended on him for love, for guidance,” Davis said. “She depended on him to love her mother. He abused that trust by sneaking into her bedroom.

“He has no remorse over what has happened. He still maintains he did not do this.”

Davis argued that the victim’s age made her vulnerable and that the abuse was on-going.

O’Connor agreed, but said neither was harsh enough to grant an exceptional sentence.

Johnson showed little emotion when O’Connor delivered the sentence. Several of his supporters shook their head in disbelief.

Many had spoken eloquently about Johnson’s hard work and devotion to his family.

“He has always been there for the children. Always,” said Marie Liere, Johnson’s ex-wife. The two were married for 13 years and had two children.

“He carries himself with his head held up because that is what an innocent man does, not a man in denial,” said Carol Johnson, who is married to him now.

Johnson has no prior convictions and has maintained his innocence.

“Anybody can point a finger at anybody,” Johnson said. “You don’t have to have proof. You don’t have to have facts. You don’t have to have witnesses.”

Johnson’s attorney Bevan Maxey said he plans to appeal the convictions. O’Connor set a cash bail at $200,000, pending the appeal.

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