**This article has been updated to state Miguel Rodriguez will serve up to 35 years in prison following his sentencing on Thursday.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A man from Springfield found guilty of kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old girl back in 2020 was sentenced Thursday.
Miguel Rodriguez was convicted in a jury-waived trial last month on several charges, including kidnapping and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
- 30 to 35 years on the kidnapping charge
- 25 years for each of the 2 counts of aggregated rape to be served at the same time.
- 2.5 years for reckless endangerment
- Followed by 5 years of probation
Police say the victim was walking home from her bus stop in Springfield on January 15, 2020, when she was abducted. An AMBER Alert was issued, and the victim, along with Rodriguez, were found hours later on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Sturbridge.
The defense had argued that Rodriguez was in the middle of a schizophrenic episode, and as such should not be held criminally responsible.
The prosecution, however, argued that Rodriguez had planned the attack, and had even practiced it days before.
Rodriguez spoke to the judge and apologized for what he did and said that he regrets it.
Duncan MacLean is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2019. Follow Duncan on X @DMacLeanWWLP and view his bio to see more of his work.
