Kingman man given lengthy molestation sentence

KINGMAN, Ariz. — Arizona’s harsh mandatory sentencing provisions for certain sex crimes involving children boosted the punishment for a Kingman man convicted in June. Jasper Webster, 36, was sentenced Friday to five consecutive life terms, plus 24½ years more in prison.

Webster was convicted of five counts of sexual conduct with a minor, two counts each of sexual abuse and aggravated assault, and one count of child molestation.

Mohave County Superior Court Judge Steve Conn noted some question why a child molester would get a longer sentence than a killer. But he told Webster that part of the thinking of the Arizona Legislature was that child sex victims suffer for life because of their abuse.

Webster was convicted of 10 charges involving three young girls in his neighborhood. The girls were 7-8, 11 and 14 when they were victimized.

“Some people just need to be taken and segregated from society, and that’s what we are doing in this particular case,” said prosecutor Greg McPhillips.