Caraway Sentenced for Rape, Sodomy

Harland Daily Enterprise
August 2, 2013

http://www.harlandaily.com/view/full_story/23267916/article-Caraway-sentenced-for-rape--sodomy

The former pastor of the Loyall Church of God was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday on his conviction for two counts of second-degree rape and two counts of second-degree sodomy. The victim was 14 at the time the offenses occurred.

Special Judge Robert Costanzo followed the jury’s recommendation on sentencing Jeremy Caraway to five years on each count to run concurrently.

Costanzo agreed to allow time served be credited toward the total sentence.

Caraway will be required to serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Caraway, 38, originally was indicted on two counts of second-degree rape, two counts of second-degree sodomy, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and one count of the use of an electronic communications system to procure a minor for a sexual offense.

He was arrested on the charges in May 2011. The jury convicted Caraway on May 1 of this year.

Caraway’s defense team requested several character statements be considered prior to sentencing.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Karen Davenport reminded the court the victim was 14 and that the jury saw evidence that led to the conviction. She questioned whether those listed as offering statements had actually seen the evidence the jury saw.

Caraway did not testify during the trial, but did answer questions from the judge during sentencing.

Davenport told the court during the trial about pages of Facebook messages between the victim and Caraway which detailed specific sex acts.

“It’s not just the fact they exchanged messages — it’s what they said,” Davenport told jurors during her closing arguments presented during the trial. “This child gave you details no child should know.”

Caraway has remained in custody since the conviction to await formal sentencing.

Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise - Caraway sentenced for rape sodomy