Ex-coach sentenced to 5 years in prison
The prosecution says the Wahiawa man "still doesn't get it"
A former Wahiawa soccer coach was sentenced to five years in prison for molesting six boys, including his players and one of his foster children.
Frederick Rames, 66, said in Circuit Court yesterday, "I apologize to the boys and their parents for putting them through this."
But prosecutors said Rames "still doesn't get it."
"We're concerned he's still in denial and that he's more concerned about the possibility of civil exposure than the opportunity for personal growth," said Deputy Prosecutor Douglas Chin.
Rames refused to talk to the probation officer who completed his pre-sentence report. And in his interview, he said that he would only participate in sex offender treatment "if he has to," and that he hopes it might be helpful to "overall cure him," Chin said.
Defense attorney William Harrison said it was at his advice that Rames not talk specifically about the incidents because of possible civil liability.
Circuit Judge Michael Wilson said the plea agreement was appropriate and represented a strong commitment by prosecutors to ensure the community is protected from further acts by Rames.
Under a plea agreement, Rames pleaded guilty in September to six counts of third-degree sexual assault involving six boys ages 7 to 12. He also pleaded guilty to an additional two counts of third-degree sexual assault that were amended from first-degree sexual assault.
The fact that none of the victims nor their families were present in the courtroom yesterday should not be interpreted as the incidents no being a big deal or not happening, Chin said. "They did care, it was a big deal and tragically, it did happen."
"This whole experience has been difficult for them," Chin said, adding that the boys were "very brave and courageous to come forward in the first place."
Harrison said Rames took substantial responsibility in admitting to the offenses. Rames has been actively involved in his community for three decades and still has substantial support despite what happened.
While Rames has no prior criminal history and has strong support from his family and certain segments of the community, sexual predators do not always fit a typical criminal profile, Chin said.
"They can have pro-social attributes and still engage in horrible, unacceptable acts," he said. They can be your priest, your neighbor, your scoutmaster, your teacher, and, sadly, they can even be your coach."
Wilson said Rames received the maximum term of imprisonment because he had surrendered to insidious impulses at the expense of the children.
Rames, who is also a substitute teacher and foster parent, admitted to allowing the boys whom he coached to sleep over and that they would sleep with him in his bed. He also said he touched their genitals when he was bathing them or when helping them urinate when they got up in the middle of the night.