Hicks to serve 21 to 25 years for assault, abuse

David Hicks, 45, was given 21 to 25 years in prison following his guilty plea to felony third-degree sexual assault without inflicting sexual intrusion or bodily injury, and felony abuse of a vulnerable adult.

County Attorney Jerry Williams asked the judge for the max sentence for both crimes; thirteen to 15 years for felony third-degree sexual assault and eight to 10 years for felony abuse of a vulnerable adult, to run consecutively.

“It’s one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen on a tape,” Williams said.

The main point of evidence during sentencing Monday was a video from a "nanny cam" the woman’s husband had placed in her room at a care facility.

He placed the camera because of bruising he found on her body.

Williams shared the video and audio of the sexual assault with Judge Robert Skar.

Skar commended the husband for going to the police rather than taking matters into his own hands.

The woman’s son pointed out that although his mother had Alzheimer’s disease, she was still perfectly aware of what was happening to her.

He said she has since been moved to another facility, but for six months following the assault she would tremble and cry whenever a male nurse so much as spoke in the vicinity of her room.

Hicks explained although what he did was wrong, he does hope the family can one day forgive him.

“I cannot change what was done,” Hicks said. “I wish I could, but I cant.”

Hicks also stated he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the assault.

“You’re not who you are when you’re on (methamphetamine),” Hicks said.

But the judge was not swayed by the comment, and he gave Hicks the max sentence.

“What you did here is sick, just sick.” Skar said.

A previous felony first-degree sexual assault charge was dropped by the state as part of a plea agreement.