Mauricio Powless has been charged with sexually assaulting two teens and attempting to sexually assault a third child at a Green Bay hotel. (Photo source: Brown County Sheriff's Office)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Mauricio Powless, who sexually assaulted two girls and tried to assault a third at a hotel, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.
Powless, 19, previously pleaded no contest to two counts: attempted first-degree child sexual assault and second-degree sexual assault of a child. Two other counts were dismissed but could be considered at sentencing.
He will be on the sex offender registry for life, and was also placed on extended supervision for ten years, by Judge Beau Liegeois.
Before the sentence was issued, the mother of one victim described the impact the assault has had on her daughter and family. She asked for a sentence of four years for each victim.
“My daughter will forever suffer. She will learn to cope but she will forever have it with her the rest of her life. At 13 years old, that is not fair,” the mother said.
The judge ordered the media not to show or identify the woman, but using her voice was permitted.
Powless apologized to the victims and their families. He asked the judge to consider his age, 19, and what he faces for the rest of his life.
“I’m not asking to go unpunished. I can’t undo the mistake I made. Your honor, I am asking for a chance to redeem myself and not sit half of my young, adult life behind bars,” Powless said.
The state and Powless’ attorney made a joint recommendation for 3.5 years in prison, and 8.5 years of extended supervision.
Judge Liegeois called Powless’ behavior “horrendous” and “disgusting.” He said the facts of the case, particularly the assessments by the victims’ families, led to a sentence that exceeded the joint recommendation.
According to the criminal complaint, the first incident happened on Jan. 20, 2024 at the Tundra Lodge, when Powless tried to pull down the pants of one girl, and blocked her and a friend from getting out of an elevator. The girls were ages 10 and 13.
While police were investigating that incident, another parent said her child was assaulted, as well. In that case, Powless grabbed the 13-year-old girl’s backside, and took off running.
On Jan. 25, police were called back to the hotel for another reported assault. In that incident, he told a different 13-year-old girl to “kiss me” before grabbing her backside, the complaint states.
After his arrest, Powless admitted to the acts, according to the complaint.
“Mauricio stated he was sorry for what he did. He started to cry. He stated he’s never done anything like this in the past and he’s not sure why he did what he did. Mauricio stated he has not been diagnosed with any mental health issues, but stated he feels he should be tested,” the complaint quotes him as saying.
Comments