By Taylor MacPherson

P.A. man guilty of sexually assaulting 16-year-old

Sep 13, 2017 | 5:00 PM

CONTENT WARNING

A Prince Albert man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting the 16-year-old son of a co-worker.

Misael Vargas, 47, was charged after the teenage son of a friend and co-worker said he was sexually assaulted in his bedroom by Vargas in September of 2016. Vargas pleaded not guilty, and a trial was held in August. Judge Hugh Harradence read his decision this morning, finding Vargas guilty.

At the trial, the young victim said he was woken up in the early morning hours by a drunken Vargas, who had come to the home at 2:30 in the morning to visit the victim’s father. The youth testified Vargas came into his bedroom and touched him, tried to kiss him, exposed himself, and briefly performed oral sex on the teen. After the assault, the victim said Vargas asked him not to tell anyone about what had happened and left two $20 bills under his pillow.

A short time later, the victim testified, he received text messages from Vargas containing a “thumbs up” symbol and a dollar sign.

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The defence questioned the timeline of events presented at the trial and noted the bills were not tested forensically, Harradence said, but he concluded that was not enough to create a reasonable doubt about Vargas’ guilt.

“Both the complainant and his father may have been mistaken about the times,” Harradence said. “When I step back and consider this evidence as a whole, I am satisfied that this accused is guilty.”

Vargas, who sat in the gallery assisted by a Spanish interpreter during the proceedings, showed very little reaction as the verdict was read. His sentencing was set to proceed Nov. 21. Vargas will face a possible 10-year maximum sentence.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews