NJ Man Gets 28-Year Prison Term In String Of Rapes
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — A Camden man has received a lengthy state prison term for a string of rapes in southern New Jersey (see related story), including one victim who was 13 years old.
Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo says Kevin Cleveland received a 28-year sentence on Friday. He also will be under lifetime parole supervision as a registered sex offender and may be subject to civil commitment after his prison term ends, if he's found to be a sexually violent predator.
The 21-year-old Cleveland pleaded guilty in March to three counts each of kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault, along with robbery and weapons offenses.
Those charges involved three sex assault victims — ages 13, 16 and 20 — who were attacked in early 2012, and another woman who was robbed but was not sexually assaulted.
Colalillo said Cleveland apologized during his sentencing, where two of his four victims spoke on how the attacks had affected them.
"I have come a long way with the love and support of my family, but I fear walking alone in the dark" said the girl who was 16 at the time of the attack. "My home is Camden, but I will never be able to ride or walk anywhere near that area where I was violated."
Another girl addressed Cleveland directly.
"Now today, two years later, I'm over the fear you gave me and I know now to always watch out for people like you," she said.
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