U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix sentenced Thomas John Boukamp, 22, to life imprisonment in federal prison on Thursday for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Lubbock girl. In June, a jury convicted the Michigan man on 16 counts: one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct, one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, one count of enticement of a minor, two counts of receipt of child pornography, 10 counts of production and attempted production of child pornography and one count of cyberstalking.
According to a Department of Justice press release, U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham said Boukamp stalked and sexually attacked the teen. He then had the victim claim in federal court that their relationship was consensual. The child bravely faced her abuser in court and swore in no uncertain terms that his sexual advances were unwelcome. By law, 14-year-olds cannot consent to sexual acts with adults. Meacham added that they are immensely proud of the child and hope this verdict brings some solace to her and her family.
Meanwhile, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno said Boukamp displayed offensive behavior, which was countered by the victim who so courageously testified against him. DeSarno also stated that the FBI and the law enforcement partners will continue doing everything in their power to pursue justice for victims and their families. They will also hold perpetrators accountable while protecting others from harm.
KLTV reported that Boukamp had a heated discussion with Judge Hendrix. He announced his hate and anger for the country and for the judge himself while focusing on his love for the victim. He stated that he was constantly angry, unhappy, lonely, and hateful. He admitted he called the judge terrible things, adding that the reason he hates so much is that he loves so much. He admitted being filled with violent sexual fantasies and thought he had found someone who understood him.
Hendrix, on the other hand, called Boukamp a dangerous pedophile and referred to the government’s condemnation of him, accusing him of his actions.
Boukamp met the victim when she was 13 on Discord and convinced her to send him pornographic images. He abducted her from her middle school in Lubbock, Texas, and took her across state lines. During the hellish eight days of captivity, Boukamp raped, strangled, beat, and forcibly took off the girl's braces with pliers, Fox News reported.
The teen courageously spoke out against him at trial. The victim's father presented a declaration to the court explaining his daughter's lasting trauma.
