By Associated Press - Wednesday, October 23, 2019

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut man who prosecutors say repeatedly raped a 7-year-old girl has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Hartford Courant reports that 29-year-old Jerry Zapata, of Avon, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty in August to first-degree sexual assault.

In an interview with police, Zapata said he showed the victim pornography and masturbated while he had sexual contact with her but denied raping her.

In court, Zapata apologized for his actions.

The victim’s mother read a letter on her behalf explaining how she felt like the abuse was her fault. In the letter, the girl, now 9, called Zapata “the worst person in the world.”

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Information from: Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com

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