Warning: This article contains details readers may find disturbing.
A U.S. man who sexually exploited an Edmonton girl and smuggled her across the border in 2022 has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Noah Madrano pleaded guilty to two of six federal charges in a Portland, Ore., courtroom in January.
According to court documents, the charges were sexual exploitation of a child and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
He ultimately signed a plea deal.
The prosecutor in the case asked the court for a life sentence, while the defence asked for 292 months, or just under 25 years.
The first charge carries a sentence from 15 to 30 years and 10 years to life in prison for the second charge.
The judge ultimately sentenced Madrano to 360 months on the first count and 600 months on the second count, to be served consecutively.
The 13-year-old girl was reported missing in Edmonton in June 2022 and was found in an Oregon hotel room nine days later.
Court heard Madrano coerced her into his vehicle from in front of her school after she got off the school bus following a year of online grooming.
The prosecutor described how Madrano sexually assaulted the girl repeatedly during the days she was away from her family and forced her to dye her hair so she would not be recognized.
At the sentencing hearing on Tuesday, court heard victim impact statements from the girl’s father, sister, mother and the victim herself.
Her mother described how the family monitored the girl’s cell phone activities, but said Madrano was able to get to their daughter through a school-issued device.
“The abuse my daughter suffered is unbearable to comprehend,” she said in a statement read by her brother, the victim’s uncle.
“The damage caused by these horrific events is complex and irreparable.”
The girl’s father called Madrano scum and called for the maximum sentence to be imposed.
“You deserve no clemency for your actions and your lack of remorse is clear.”
“Men like you cannot be changed. You are wired incorrectly,” he said.
The girl delivered her own victim impact statement, noting she was speaking for all victims of sexual violence who are seeking justice.
“I remember the endless nights of abuse,” she said.
“He would drug me in his vehicle before walking up to a hotel room.”
She read poems she had written as she worked through the trauma of what happened to her.
“He hurt me so much, now I’m damaged.”
“He has broken me. He has ruined my life. I used to tell myself, maybe I don’t deserve to live. Maybe Noah was doing me a favour.”
Madrano also addressed the court, claiming he is not a violent man and he only wanted what was best for the girl.
“I am not a violent man and did not use force on the minor victim,” he said.
“I was only trying to help her but I’m aware that those actions were wrong.”
He also apologized for his actions.
“Words cannot express how deeply and truly sorry I am,” he said.
“I know there is nothing I can say or do to make things right again.”
The defence had asked for a reduced sentence because Madrano pleaded guilty, vacating the need for a trial.
The judge denied that request, saying Madrano had a constitutional right to go to trial.
He also said he had never seen a defendant who had entered a guilty plea take less responsibility for their actions.
“He continues to maintain a story that is a complete lie about what happened.”
“I reject categorically that he only wanted what was best for her,” he said.
“He imposed violence on this minor victim.”
“I found her statement to be 100 per cent credible.”
Madrano has 14 days to file a notice of appeal.
