Can't access this article - can someone please give a 10% synopsis? TIA!
Prosecutors want Cummins to spend 30 years behind bars. The 360-month sentence recommendation for Cummins is at the upper end of federal sentencing guidelines.
His defense attorneys, who said 30 years would be a death sentence at his age, have asked for the mandatory minimum 10-year sentence. The harshest punishment he faces is life in prison.
In a memo to the court, prosecutors said they were asking for a lengthy sentence because at the time of his arrest in California, Cummins had no plans to stop sexually exploiting the victim or return home to family. They also state Cummins groomed the girl for sexual exploitation and carefully planned their journey from Tennessee to avoid being caught.
Cummins's attorneys also submitted a memo claiming unsubstantiated allegations were included in his presentencing report. They also claimed the federal crime he pleaded guilty to would have been a state crime of aggravated statutory rape if they had stayed in Tennessee and not crossed state lines. That crime would have been punishable by 2-4 years in prison.
A number of letters on Cummins's behalf also were submitted, including letters from his family, childhood acquaintances and an associate chaplain at the prison where Cummins is incarcerated in Henderson County, Tenn.
The chaplain's letter describes Cummins as "extremely remorseful," for what happened and said he has made an effort to understand his actions and how to make sure they never happen again. He also said Cummins has helped other inmates dealing with addiction and dysfunctional behaviors, and said Cummins wants to work in jail ministry after he has served his time.
