Sioux Falls man sentenced to 14 years for the rape of a 9-year-old

(KCCR – Pierre, SD) A Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the rape of a nine year-old child. Sixth Circuit Judge Margo Northrup sentenced 31 year-old Shadu Kawaja to the maximum 15 years in prison on a charge of Sexual Contact with a Child Under 16 Years Old, but suspended one year. Charges of First Degree Rape and Intentional Exposure to a Venereal Disease were dismissed. In pleading for less time in prison Kawaja’s attorney Sandy Steffen asked for only the required 10 years in prison as is the mandatory minimum and suspending the five possible additional years. Steffen cited the fact the crime was Kawaja’s first and only felony with nothing similar in his record. Stanley County State’s Attorney Thomas P. Maher told Northrup Kawaja abused a position of trust in the victim’s life, He added information from a psycho-sexual evaluation put Kawaja in a range that could be considered danger to re offend. Northrup says he’s concerned that Kawaja is attracted to younger girls but more concerned he was deemed a threat. Kawaja was given credit for 284 days served in the Hughes County Jail.