New fate for convicted child rapist
8 p.m. Thursday, August 9, 2007
Orlando Paul Cisneros will spend the next 13 years in prison, after violating his probation.
He was convicted of repeatedly raping and sodomizing a 14-year-old girl, but allowed to walk free in May 2007.
In court Thursday afternoon, his probation officer said Cisneros admitted to smoking marijuana the same day as his sentencing.
Cisneros spoke out in court, asking Shawnee County District Court Judge Charles Andrews for another break.
“I’m trying hard to get on with my life and this hasn’t been very easy,” Cisneros said. “I still want to continue to try.”
Andrews didn’t buy it. He told Cisneros one break was enough.
“You were sent out of that courtroom with a blessing of probation, when the legislature strongly recommended prison,” Andrews said. “You violated that, you flaunted it.”
Tensions were high in the courtroom. Mike Burlison, the rape victim’s father, yelled out about an allegation Cisneros’ attorney made.
“That’s a lie, your honor,” Burlison exclaimed.
Andrews wasn’t impressed.
“Next word out of your mouth, you’re out of this courtroom,” the judge said. “The next outburst, you will be removed.”
But now that Cisneros has been sent to prison, the family is happy.
“I feel like … my daughter will be able to go to high school just knowing that he’s not hiding somewhere,” said Tina Burlison, the rape victim’s mother. “I’m glad he’s behind bars.”
Andrews isn’t the same judge who put Cisneros on probation. District Judge Matthew Dowd caused a national uproar when he allowed the convicted rapist to walk free in May. Dowd removed himself from the case earlier this week.
For reaction from the victim's father, read this report from 49 News Reporter Jessica Lovell.
Cisneros rape case
- Topeka man arrested, charged with indecent liberties with a child (Oct. 11, 2007)
- Topeka man sentenced to probation for youth rape (May 26, 2007)
- Group protests lenient judge who released convicted child rapist (June 14, 2007)
- Rape victim's father interviewed on FOX News (June 18, 2007)
- Women says she's living in fear after judge's controversial decision (June 20, 2007)
- Face-to-face with a convicted rapist (June 22, 2007)
- Convicted sex offender violates probation (July 16, 2007)
- More questions surface after controversial probation sentence (July 20, 2007)
- Judge Dowd removes himself from controversial case (Aug. 7, 2007)
Comments
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Aug. 9, 2007 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)May (anonymous)
Cisneros is going where he should have been already. It's wonderful to to see that justice for the victim/survivor is finally being granted!!
Delayed justice is not acceptable though. The judges in this state must start enforcing consequences for which the laws are made for - protecting our citizens. Judge Dowd's decisions to free a child rapist and a child predator is unacceptable and a disgrace for the state of Kansas.
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