Kidnapper/rapist sentenced to life in prison
Today, Monique Baza celebrated closure as her assailant is handed down the maximum sentence for the heinous crime.
January 28, 2015Updated: January 28, 2015
By KUAM News
By KUAM News
by Krystal Paco
Guam - It was two years ago Monique Baza made a quick trip to the bakery for bread.
When she returned to her car, she found a man hiding in her backseat where he proceeded to kidnap, rape, and rob her.
Today, Baza celebrates closure as her assailant is handed down the maximum sentence for the heinous crime.
"Don't stop fighting. If you want to see justice, you got to see it through all the way," she proclaimed.
And all of Baza's efforts paid off - evident by the maximum sentence handed down to her assailant, Ray Charles Tedtaotao Camacho.
As ordered by Judge Anita Sukola today, Camacho will spend life behind bars without possibility of parole for charges of kidnapping and first degree criminal sexual conduct.
When asked how she felt, Baza said, "On air right now. I'm just glad that he's going to be put away for a long time and that we don't have to worry about him doing this to anyone else and society is safe from one less criminal."
Baza was clear and confident as she remembered that day two years ago - all two hours and 45 minutes of it. She recalls coming out of the bakery, going into her car, finding Camacho inside where he used her passenger seat to restrain her and tied her down with the seatbelts before sexually assaulting her twice and robbing her.
Although Camacho apologized to his victim today and his attorney Douglas Moylan requested the minimum 15-year sentence, Baza was unmoved by his words.
"Water under the bridge. I think like the AG's Office had mentioned, he's made apologies before. What would be any different about my apology now?" she said.
Camacho has an extensive criminal history that includes family violence, robbery, theft, CSC, and impersonating a police officer. Despite pleas for a second chance, this was the last straw.
Chief deputy AG Phil Tydingco said, "This sentence sends a clear message to the community that dangerous criminals as evidence by his record, should be placed and confined away from society. His record clearly showed he's a dangerous person who preys on women and he robs them and rapes them and kidnaps them and he had no regard. He lays an ambush. He's dangerous. The message here in this sentence is if you're that kind of person, you're going to be put away in order to keep our mothers safe, our daughters safe.
And while her scars and bruises have healed, Baza is using her story to inspire others - today, she plays an integral role in the Random Women's Rally, better known as RAWR, as well as works with other agencies to stop the violence.
"I'm with Random Women's Rally and we're also working together with the Guam Police Department and Crimestoppers and other members of the community with the Man-Up Initiative we're going to be focusing on that going into the school systems," Baza said.
But what's the best advice she can give to other victims fearful of speaking up?
"You got to be strong for yourself," she stated.
Guam - It was two years ago Monique Baza made a quick trip to the bakery for bread.
When she returned to her car, she found a man hiding in her backseat where he proceeded to kidnap, rape, and rob her.
Today, Baza celebrates closure as her assailant is handed down the maximum sentence for the heinous crime.
"Don't stop fighting. If you want to see justice, you got to see it through all the way," she proclaimed.
And all of Baza's efforts paid off - evident by the maximum sentence handed down to her assailant, Ray Charles Tedtaotao Camacho.
As ordered by Judge Anita Sukola today, Camacho will spend life behind bars without possibility of parole for charges of kidnapping and first degree criminal sexual conduct.
When asked how she felt, Baza said, "On air right now. I'm just glad that he's going to be put away for a long time and that we don't have to worry about him doing this to anyone else and society is safe from one less criminal."
Baza was clear and confident as she remembered that day two years ago - all two hours and 45 minutes of it. She recalls coming out of the bakery, going into her car, finding Camacho inside where he used her passenger seat to restrain her and tied her down with the seatbelts before sexually assaulting her twice and robbing her.
Although Camacho apologized to his victim today and his attorney Douglas Moylan requested the minimum 15-year sentence, Baza was unmoved by his words.
"Water under the bridge. I think like the AG's Office had mentioned, he's made apologies before. What would be any different about my apology now?" she said.
Camacho has an extensive criminal history that includes family violence, robbery, theft, CSC, and impersonating a police officer. Despite pleas for a second chance, this was the last straw.
Chief deputy AG Phil Tydingco said, "This sentence sends a clear message to the community that dangerous criminals as evidence by his record, should be placed and confined away from society. His record clearly showed he's a dangerous person who preys on women and he robs them and rapes them and kidnaps them and he had no regard. He lays an ambush. He's dangerous. The message here in this sentence is if you're that kind of person, you're going to be put away in order to keep our mothers safe, our daughters safe.
And while her scars and bruises have healed, Baza is using her story to inspire others - today, she plays an integral role in the Random Women's Rally, better known as RAWR, as well as works with other agencies to stop the violence.
"I'm with Random Women's Rally and we're also working together with the Guam Police Department and Crimestoppers and other members of the community with the Man-Up Initiative we're going to be focusing on that going into the school systems," Baza said.
But what's the best advice she can give to other victims fearful of speaking up?
"You got to be strong for yourself," she stated.