A former Moriarty High School football coach will go to prison for the next 15 years for raping female students.
In court Tuesday, Damien Hyatt told Judge Matthew G. Reynolds he was sorry for what he did and that if there was anything he could do to change it he would.
“I would just like to say how sorry I am how horrible I feel for hurting these girls and there families and my family,” said Hyatt.
The Moriarty High graduate and former assistance football coach was sentenced to three different rape cases dating back to 2011.
Hyatt was arrested back in 2016 by the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office when several female students claimed he gave them alcohol in return for sexual favors.
In court, one victim told the judge that Hyatt came off as charming at first and she had a relationship with him as a high school freshman, while he was a coach.
She said he turned into a monster when she didn’t want to have sex with him.
Family and friends who spoke on Hyatt’s behalf told the judge they have seen him change.
“I understand all actions have consequence I would ask of you to look at him as a full person and not just what the charges are,” said Aaron Hyatt.
Hyatt had faced 24 years behind bars, but in the end the judge gave him 15.
The state only asked for 15 years but didn’t really explain in court why they didn’t push for the maximum.
There was another victim who traveled from out of state to give a statement, but she wasn’t even able to make it into the courtroom to face Hyatt.
Hyatt will also have to register as a sex offender once he’s released.
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