Law

Tohono O'odham Nation man might be forced to pay $10M to victim


Jacob Harvey. Photo from Arizona Department of Corrections

A member of the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona who pleaded guilty to rape might be forced to pay $10 million to his victim.

But there is little chance Jacob Harvey, 22, will be able to pay the judgement because he will most likely be spending the rest of his life behind bars.

"He's not likely to get out of prison, but who knows, and he should have to pay for what he did whether that's now or 25 years from now," Scott Zwillinger, an attorney for the victim, told the Associated Press.

Harvey was already serving a 30-year sentence for rape when he brutally assaulted a teacher at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Eyman in January 2014, according to Courthouse News Service. He pleaded guilty in August 2015 and was sentenced to life in prison, the AP reported at the time.

The victim subsequently sued Harvey and numerous state officials for damages. The state agreed to a $3 million settlement in December 2015, according to federal court records.

With Harvey as the only defendant remaining, the victim moved for judgement. But Harvey refused to participate in a damages hearing in April despite given the opportunity to do so, a federal magistrate wrote in a report dated August 3.

The magistrate is recommending a $10 million default judgment against Harvey. It would be up to Judge Susan R. Bolton to determine whether to accept the recommendation.

Read More on the Story:
Judge: Rapist should pay $10M to Arizona prison teacher (AP 8/9)

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