Judge's order: Put rapist's name in sex offenders' registry

A HIGH COURT judge has ordered the name of a Maracas/St Joseph man, who pleaded guilty to raping a 14-year-old back in 2005, to be entered into the public sex offenders’ registry.

Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds made the order after sentencing Roger “Cherokee” Hernandez.

He was also ordered to report to the St Joseph police station before 2 pm this Friday to register as a sex offender. Some of what Hernandes can expect to undergo there as part of the process was explained to him.

It includes taking his fingerprint, photograph and a non-intimate sample which can be taken without his consent.

Hernandez has to report to the police for four years, twice per year, on dates directed by the police.

A copy of the court’s orders will be sent to the Police Commissioner by the High Court registrar and Hernandez's name will be published on the public website within 14 days by the commissioner.

Last Friday, Hernandez pleaded guilty to rape and grievous sexual assault of the then teenager on July 8, 2005.

He was given a one-third discount for his guilty plea and the time he spent on remand was deducted from the court’s sentence, leaving no more time for him to spend in jail. He was expected to be released from prison on Wednesday.

According to the evidence read by prosecutor Ravita Persad-Maharaj, the victim was at the time, a Form II student who was working at a shoe store in Arima as a sales clerk, when Hernandez, who worked nearby, took her to a room above a bar and raped her. He threatened to “bore her belly,” which the victim took to mean he would stab her.

He also forced the victim to perform an oral act on him and again threatened her. The girl reported the incident ten days later. Hernandez was represented by public defender Adelia Jordan.