Convicted child rapist Eric Devin Masters made headlines months ago following accusations about his involvement in the disturbing rape of an 18-month-old girl at a motel in Byron Township, Missouri. Now, he’s received a massive dose of karma for the agonizing pain he allegedly inflicted on the innocent child. According to Detroit Free Press , Eric Masters has been ordered to serve up to 200 years for the horrific crime he reportedly committed.
Former US Coast Guard #EricDevinMasters filmed himself raping 18 m/o girl 3x in 8 days sentenced to 200 yrs. https://t.co/84VMsjHFWD
— Mary Pat Ryan (@MaryPatRyan) April 15, 2016
It has been reported that Masters pleaded guilty to the 2012 crimes , which took place during a time when he was an active U.S. Coast Guard. He is now serving 50 years behind bars for “producing child pornography of three young girls, ages 18 months to 12 years old, whom he ‘brutally sexually assaulted,’” according to Opposing Views.
The latest reports about Masters’ sentence follows the release of harrowing details about the rape of the 18-month-old baby. Court documents revealed Masters’ sexual abuse of the toddler, which occurred three times over the course of eight days, was filmed and confiscated along with another video that captured the “sleep rape” of the other young girls he molested while they slept.
Eric Devin Masters: Michigan Man Rapes Toddler And Records Encounter To Share With Friends On The Internet https://t.co/QzcPHOpjlx
— Appointed (@appointend) April 17, 2016
According to the Daily Mail , the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) believes Masters planned to send the disturbing footage to others in exchange for child pornography . In the graphic videos, the toddler was shown with her limbs restrained. Occasionally tied to bedposts, Masters performed a number of sexual acts on the baby and in one of the videos, he reportedly urinated on her.
On Thursday, April 14, Judge Mark Trusock addressed Masters during the sentencing hearing at Kent County Circuit Court in Michigan. Although Masters had been found guilty of the horrific crimes and apologized for the acts he committed, he reportedly showed little remorse, which left the judge stunned by his apparent “lack of understanding” regarding the circumstances surrounding the baby’s trauma.
“I am stunned by your lack of understanding of yourself and why you did what you did,” Judge Trusock said. “…You are truly an evil individual and we need to make sure that you are never allowed in society.” Trusock made the statement to Masters before the massive prison sentence was handed down, according to the Daily Mail .
Inmates to enjoy the company of Eric Devin Masters, sentenced to 200 years https://t.co/OdkbAvle8k
— Justice For Victims (@ElMuertoArias) April 15, 2016
The child’s mother reportedly pleaded with the judge to keep him behind bars, revealing how the sexual acts have had long-term effects on the child. Now, at the age of 5, she reportedly still suffers as a a result of the abuse she endured at the hands of Masters. Judge Trusock made it quite clear that Masters will have no possibility of parole in the near future. Even if he may earn that privilege in the future, Trusock said he should still be denied parole.
“I want to send a clear message to the Parole Board, when you first come up for parole as a 79-year-old, that I don’t want you out,” he said. “This incident is one of the most egregious things that I’ve ever had to deal with in dealing with criminal cases for 31 years. There is just no justification, there is just no excuse for this.”
Eric Devin Masters, 29, Pleads Guilty To Raping Toddler; Police – recorded act to share… https://t.co/jDIDB0ASWx pic.twitter.com/4DSRTpd0Qs
— UJReview (@UJReview) February 17, 2016
According to the official report released by the FBI, U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles released a statement about the effectiveness of the investigation. “Thankfully state and federal agencies throughout the nation are working hard and collaborating to address the scourge of child pornography. Through such collaboration they found these horrific child pornography materials in Alabama and Tennessee, identified the perpetrator here in West Michigan, and helped bring Eric Masters to justice in federal court,” said Attorney Miles following the announcement of the prison sentence.
Although Masters will undoubtedly serve the rest of his life behind bars, many social media users have still voiced frustrations over his sentence. Many believe he deserves the death penalty for the heinous acts he has committed.
Do you think a 200-year sentence is enough, or should Eric Masters receive the death penalty? Share your thoughts.
[Image via Kent County Jail]