Kenton man sentenced for sexual assault

KENTON - Derek E. Kaufman listened with only a glance at the young girl he forced to have sex as she explained Monday how he had ruined her childhood.

He had nothing to say, not even an apology.

Visiting Judge William Finnegan of Marion County then sentenced Kaufman to 20 days in jail and ordered that he stay away from the girl who was 13 when he sexually assaulted her.

The judge also gave Kaufman three years probation, ordered to obtain counseling, perform 50 hours community service, pay a $750 fine and $570 in restitution. He also must register as a sex offender and be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.

Kaufman, of 12146 Pamela Drive, Kenton, was sentenced on one count of gross sexual imposition. The charge came about as part of a negotiated plea agreement that was approved by the victim and her family.

The victim, who could barely be heard over her crying, said she just wanted to put the matter behind her.

"What you put me and my family through was horrible," she said.

Kaufman's attorney, Javier Armengau, said Kaufman had never been in trouble in his life and was sorry for what had happened.

"This is something he will live with forever," Armengau said.

The crime happened July 30, 2006, at Kaufman's home. The victim, then 13, was a friend of Kaufman's sister and was spending the night. About 2 a.m. that night, Kaufman woke the girl and told her he needed to talk to her, according to Hardin County court records.

He lured her into his bedroom where he forced her to have sex with him. He then told her not to tell anyone, according to court records.