A Michigan resident has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for a horrifying attack on an 11-year-old girl during a sleepover. Ricardo Perez Castillo, 25, entered a home uninvited, found two girls asleep, and launched a brutal assault on one of them. In October, Castillo pleaded no contest to charges of assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, and assault with intent to commit second-degree criminal sexual conduct, as per the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office. He was initially also charged with carrying a weapon with unlawful intent when he was arrested last year.
The former Marine Corps recruiter was sentenced by 17th Circuit Court Judge Christina Mims on Wednesday. The courtroom was filled with tension during the sentencing hearing, as reported by Grand Rapids-based ABC affiliate WZZM. Judge Mims expressed her shock and disgust at the case, condemning Castillo for his actions. She highlighted the disturbing nature of the crime, particularly the fact that Castillo had invaded a stranger’s home and nearly killed a child.
The incident took place on June 15, 2024, when Castillo broke into a house on Ella Terrace Court just before 3 a.m. Covered in blood, he grabbed a kitchen knife and attacked the friend of the homeowner’s daughter multiple times, according to Kent County Undersheriff Bryan Muir. The homeowner’s daughter was not physically harmed during the attack.
Initially, the crime baffled law enforcement, as there seemed to be no connection between Castillo and the victims. The undersheriff stated at the time of the arrest that the crime appeared to be a random act, which was particularly concerning.
The case took a darker turn when court documents revealed that Castillo had allegedly planned to kill the girl and then engage in necrophilia. During the sentencing hearing, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Bartlett described the defendant’s actions as horrendous and his lack of remorse as shocking.
In a surprising turn of events, Castillo expressed remorse in court, asking for forgiveness and acknowledging his actions. However, the homeowner dismissed Castillo’s claims, stating that his daughter lives in constant fear and that the family had to move due to the traumatic incident. He urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence.
The victim’s impact statement was read by the lead prosecutor, detailing the terrifying experience and the lasting physical and emotional scars left by the attack.