Father receives 283 years in prison for sexually abusing his two daughters

INDEPENDENT NEWS MEDIA

Samuel Rhyner, 43, faces life in prison after being convicted Friday of sexually abusing his two daughters during their childhood, authorities said.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Rhyner was sentenced to six life terms and an additional 73 years in prison.

“Throughout the trial, the defendant continued to deny responsibility for his actions, thereby causing further trauma to the victims,” the MCAO said in a press release.

In June 2020, Phoenix Police were alerted by a family member that Rhyner had sexually abused his biological daughter and stepdaughter throughout their childhood. For one of the victims, the abuse began when she was 4 years old.

One of the victims made a statement during the verdict:

“I have scars on my body and even more on my soul. He was supposed to be my protector, but instead he chose to take my innocence. He will never understand how much he hurt me.”

Rhyner received a life sentence for each count of sexual intercourse with a minor, five years for one count of sexual abuse, and 17 years for each count of kidnapping and molestation of a child.

All sentences must be served consecutively, equivalent to a prison sentence of 283 years, the MCAO press release said.

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