An Arkansas truck driver who molested a young female relative during trips through Arizona will spend the next 27 years in prison as part of a plea agreement that ensures the victim will not have to testify at trial.
Rene Teren Rascon entered three guilty pleas Monday at Cochise County Superior Court, including a Class 2 felony of intentionally engaging in sexual conduct with a minor. His prison sentence is not eligible for early release, according to court records.
Once Rascon completes his prison time, he will be on lifetime probation for two counts of attempted sexual contact with the same victim. Rascon, 35, could be resentenced to prison for up to 15 years each on those two offenses if he violates the conditions of his probation.
Attorneys for Rascon acknowledged during Monday’s change of plea hearing that the offenses were committed between May 2018 and March 2020, starting when the girl was six years old. The three convictions are considered a dangerous crime against a child in Arizona based on the victim’s age.
Rascon is entitled to be formally sentenced within 30 days but waived his rights after the victim’s family asked Judge Timothy Dickerson to delay sentencing for a few more weeks to ensure they have time to participate in the hearing.
Dickerson has set the hearing for Nov. 29. He also told the victim’s family they may participate in the hearing by telephone or video if that works better.
Court records show Rascon came under investigation in 2021 following a report of the sexual abuse to the Benson Police Department. He was indicted by a Cochise County grand jury in January on nine felonies involving sexual conduct with a minor, child molestation, public sexual indecency, and furnishing harmful items to a minor.
Rascon was arrested on the indictment Feb. 18 in Arkansas, and after waiving extradition arrived in Arizona in early March. He has remained in the Cochise County jail since then, unable to post a $100,000 cash only bond.
Dickerson was told during Monday’s hearing that the terms of the plea agreement were worked out between Rachel Raynes of the Cochise County Attorney’s Office and Rascon’s defense team of Ralph Ellinwood and Richard Lougee with direct input from the victim’s family.
Rascon must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
