Man accused of sexually abusing girl for 14 years, since she was 4

The Superior Court has imposed a $100,000 cash bail on a man who is accused of sexually assaulting a minor for the past 14 years.

Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan imposed a $100,000 cash bail on Rodney Olopai Laniyo, 42, last Tuesday for the charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the first, second, and third degrees, among other charges.

Laniyo, who appeared before the court in the custody of the Department of Corrections, was remanded back to DOC after failing to post bail.

Bogdan ordered the defendant to return to court on Aug. 17 at 10am for a preliminary hearing, and again on Aug. 22, at 9am for his arraignment.

According to court documents, Laniyo was arrested last Tuesday for allegedly sexually abusing a then minor for the past 14 years, starting when she was around 4 years old.

Court documents states that Department of Public Safety officers were dispatched to a home in Dan Dan back in April 20, 2021, to respond to a sexual abuse of a minor report that happened 14 years ago. It was not explained why it took over a year for the alleged perpetrator to be arrested following the report.

The documents state that when police met with the victim back in April 2021, she allegedly told them that the first incident happened when she was around 4. The victim said that when she turned 5, she witnessed Laniyo “playing with himself.” Then, at 9 years old, the victim said that was the first time he tried to have intercourse with her. However, the attempt failed so instead, he forced her to do other sexual activities with him.

The victim told police that Laniyo has had sexual encounters with her through the years, including intercourse, and would tell her not to tell anybody.

The victim also alleged that Laniyo had, at one point, got her high on methamphetamine, or “ice” while she was in high school.

The victim said Laniyo would even hurt her by slapping and punching her when he would see her hanging around other males her age, or even her relatives.

The victim said that, at one point, she moved to the United States to be with family but when she returned about two years later, the abuse resumed.

Then, sometime in January 2018, the victim said she fell pregnant as a result of Laniyo’s abuse and when Laniyo found out, her allegedly forced her to return to the United States to get an abortion. However, when she returned, the abuse still did not stop, the victim said.

Throughout the abuse, the victim told police that she had tried to reach out to family, friends, and the judicial system but no one would help her. She alleged that this led her to self-harm.

It wasn’t until she began dating her partner that she was able to open up about the abuse and it was that partner who reported the abuse to DPS and encouraged her to seek help.