HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A former Guahan Academy Charter School teacher will spend the next 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student.
Darrell Lujan, a 54-year-old man and former GACS CHamoru teacher, was accused in 2021 of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student. During a November 2023 trial, Lujan was found guilty of second-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony. He appeared in the Superior Court of Guam on Friday morning to be sentenced by Judge Maria Cenzon.
Following Lujan’s guilty verdict, the Office of the Attorney General confirmed it would be requesting the maximum sentence of 20 years; the minimum sentence for the charge is five years.
Lujan’s attorney, Peter Santos from the Alternate Public Defender, argued during the sentencing hearing that the maximum sentence was not necessary because it was Lujan’s first offense, and also said the nature of the case does not warrant a 20-year sentence.
“This is one of those kinds of cases that falls in the category that wouldn’t warrant the harshest of sentences. It is not acceptable, … he deserves to be punished, but … when you look at it, … we argue (it) falls more on the side of a minimum sentence,” Santos said.
According to court documents, Lujan was accused of molesting the 14-year-old male victim in Lujan’s vehicle outside of school grounds between May 31, 2021, and Aug. 1, 2021.
Lujan was given a chance by Cenzon to make a statement to give any information that may influence her decision in imposing a sentence.
“I’m just really sorry for everything that happened … I’m just living a nightmare,” Lujan said.
Circumstances
After Lujan and Santos presented their statements, prosecutor Christine Tenorio asserted the maximum sentence was necessary because of the “totality of the circumstances” which included Lujan being in a position not only as the victim’s teacher, but as a trusted member of the victim’s family.
Additionally, Tenorio stated the incident Lujan was charged with was a culmination of other incidents.
“The victim had testified that he (Lujan) had solicited nude photos from him (victim) … He (Lujan) admits to talking with him (victim) on the phone late at night, … he admits to all of these episodes that ultimately culminated in the sexual assault, so I don’t think that … just isolating the touching incident that occurred that one night is the appropriate way to review what the sentence is for this defendant,” Tenorio said.
Tenorio, to further argue for the maximum sentence, also read into the record the victim’s impact statement.
“Everything messed me up through freshman year because of you. You caused all this pain and suffering, … I went to a darker side of myself for so long but that meant nothing to you,” the victim wrote before asking Cenzon for the maximum sentence.
The victim’s mother also gave a statement where she explained Lujan deserved the 20-year sentence.
“You have destroyed my son, traumatized my son, he is not the same happy, humble, humorous child I raised. He still has flashbacks. He will fall into the dark hole you put him in. … You deserve the max sentence. … I trusted you with my son and you know I trusted you,” the victim’s mother said.
After hearing arguments and statements, Cenzon decided to sentence Lujan to serve 20 years in prison. Upon his release, Lujan will register as a Level I sex offender and be ordered to stay away not only from the victim but from all minors.
AG’s Office
Hours after the sentence was imposed, the AG’s office issued a press release thanking the victim “for having the bravery and courage to speak out against the harm inflicted upon him.”
“We also thank him for protecting other children from becoming this pedophile’s next victim. This crime victim’s family supported this crime victim during difficult proceedings, which often prevent minors from testifying out of fear of the pedophile,” the AG’s office said in the release, adding that schools now will be safer.
“Guam’s schools are safer because this brave teenager spoke out. Moreover, we are safer because Judge Cenzon did what was needed to keep this pedophile out of our schools and in jail, where pedophiles belong.”
The Guahan Academy Charter School campus is seen Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, in Tiyan, Barrigada.
