"Great" dad of 4 found guilty of kidnapping, rape (Brooksville, Florida)

So just how out of control is "father exaltation" (the irrational worship of a father's "presence" without any reference to the father's individual merits)?

Based on what we see at this trial, it's totally out of control.

Dad GEORGE OLMO is a registered sex offender who has been CONVICTED of kidnapping and raping his ex-girlfriend--the mother of his children--at gunpoint. He has also been CONVICTED of assaulting the girlfriend's brother and holding him captive.

Yet Olmo is in court begging for mercy, and pleading for "the importance of a father in a child's life." And nobody seems to be laughing (or vomiting). In fact, we have folks saying what a "great guy" he is.

Have we lost our collective minds????

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article1019488.ece

Spring Hill father of four pleads for mercy at sentencing for kidnapping and rape
By Ryan Strong, Times Staff Writer In Print: Saturday, July 18, 2009
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BROOKSVILLE — George Olmo held a photograph of his four young children while he begged for compassion Friday at his sentencing hearing in Hernando County Circuit Court.

With a courtroom full of spectators, the 34-year-old Spring Hill man stood trembling, with tears in his eyes, as Judge Stephen Rushing announced his decision.

Olmo was sentenced to 25 years in prison for threatening, kidnapping and raping his ex-girlfriend — the mother of his children — at gunpoint. He also had been convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend's brother and holding both of them captive for more than 15 hours in their home west of Brooksville in May 2007.

The former maintenance worker for Hillsborough County schools will also face five years of probation, as a registered sex offender, after he is released from prison.

The 25-year sentence came as a relief for Olmo, who faced the possibility of a life sentence on the armed kidnapping and rape convictions.

Olmo has already served 834 days in jail, time that will count toward his sentence.

"Mr. Olmo is here because of his own fault and anger problems," said prosecutor Lisa Herndon.
For more than a half-hour, Olmo pleaded with Rushing and stressed the importance of a father's role in a child's life. He read a letter to the court stating his devotion to his family, especially his young children.

"I just want to see my children graduate and grow up," Olmo said as he tried to hold back tears.

A large group of Olmo's family, friends and co-workers came and told the judge of their experiences with Olmo.

"He's always been a great guy," said Luis Perez of Hillsborough County schools. "This time, he made a mistake."

After the sentencing, Rushing recommended that the Department of Corrections place Olmo in a prison near the Tampa Bay area so he could be near his children.