Saudi ex-sergeant who kidnapped, raped child in Las Vegas doesn't deserve 35-year prison sentence: Lawyer

A lawyer of a Saudi child rapist sentenced to over three decades in prison argued before a Nevada, US court on Thursday for a shorter sentence, suggesting the victim was merely 'seduced' by the Saudi.

Mazen Alotaibi, 30, was convicted for kidnapping and raping a 13-year-old boy at a Las Vegas Strip hotel in on the New Year’s Eve of 2012.

The former Saudi Arabian air force sergeant was sentenced to serving 35 years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting the child.

But Alotabi’s attorney, Dominic Gentile wants his sentencing to be dropped to just five years, pursuant to a 'do-over' of  the trial under the 'statutory sexual seduction' charge rather than sexual assault. 

The Statutory Sexual Seduction charge suggests consent of the victim, according to Nevada laws, applying to any adult over the age of 18 having 'consensual' sexual relations with a minor.

Gentile is arguing to the Nevada court that Alotaibi's trial attorney should have asked to have the jury consider this charge instead, as it carries a top sentence of only five years for the act.

At the time of the sentencing, the victim’s mother spoke to the US courts about the "nightmare" her son has been living since the attack, saying he suffered from suicidal tendencies.

"He wants to die. He wants to kill himself because he doesn’t think anybody cares or loves him anymore,"the mother said at the time.

"It’s like he’s given up on life. He doesn’t care what happens to him."

She said she was satisfied with the 35 years in prison, praying Alotaibi "stays in prison and rots in hell".

The current wellbeing of the victim is not known to the public.

Gentile said Judge Stefany Miley made no immediate ruling after a Thursday hearing about whether Alotaibi's 2013 sentence was 'fair', according to AP.