The Kentucky Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Angelo Majoreta for third-degree rape, affirming a ten-year prison sentence handed down by the Kenton Circuit Court. The court ruled on September 4, 2026, in case number 2025-CA-0890, impacting not only Majoreta but also highlighting the legal framework surrounding sexual offenses involving minors.
Majoreta, who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was convicted after a jury found him guilty of two counts of third-degree rape involving a 14-year-old girl, referred to as Regina. The case has drawn attention due to its serious nature and the implications for how similar cases might be handled in the future.
The dispute began when Majoreta began communicating with Regina via Instagram. Initially, Regina misrepresented her age, claiming to be older than 14. However, their relationship escalated to a sexual nature, resulting in Regina's pregnancy. After revealing this to a family member, an investigation was launched, leading to Majoreta's indictment on five counts of third-degree rape. He later entered an Alford plea on four counts in a separate case, receiving a five-year sentence, but proceeded to trial for the remaining charges.
The Kenton Circuit Court trial featured testimony from law enforcement, DNA analysts, and Regina herself, who ultimately confirmed the sexual relationship. The jury found Majoreta guilty of two counts of third-degree rape but acquitted him on three counts. The jury recommended the maximum penalty of ten years, which the court accepted.
In its ruling, the Kentucky Court of Appeals addressed several key issues raised by Majoreta. He contended that the trial court erred by limiting his cross-examination of Regina, that prosecutorial misconduct occurred during closing arguments, and that the trial court improperly allowed certain testimony in the penalty phase. The court ruled, "The trial court did not abuse its discretion in limiting the cross-examination of Regina, as the evidence sought was inadmissible under KRE 412, Kentucky's rape-shield law."
The court also found that the prosecutor's comments during closing arguments did not amount to misconduct, stating that the evidence against Majoreta was overwhelming. The court noted, "Even if the Commonwealth's remarks were improper, the evidence of guilt was so strong that any error was harmless."
This ruling reinforces the importance of KRE 412, which protects victims of sexual crimes from irrelevant inquiries into their sexual history, particularly in cases involving minors. The court emphasized that a defendant's right to confront witnesses does not extend to irrelevant matters that could embarrass the victim.
Moving forward, this ruling may set a precedent for how courts handle similar cases involving minors and sexual offenses. It underscores the balance that courts must strike between a defendant's rights and the need to protect victims from further trauma. The ruling also clarifies the boundaries of permissible evidence in such cases, particularly concerning the rape-shield law.
As for Majoreta, he has the option to appeal the decision to the Kentucky Supreme Court, though details on any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case could influence future legal arguments surrounding the rights of defendants versus the protections afforded to victims in sexual assault cases.