Marine Recruiter Caught Pantsless Stabbing Girl, 11, During Sleepover Pleads Forgiveness: Court

“What comes to mind is a real-life horror movie or a horror show,” said the judge at his sentencing — as a letter written by the victim, who survived the attack, was read out in court.

In a disturbing detail of the case, the 25-year-old allegedly removed his pants downstairs before proceeding upstairs in just underwear and a t-shirt, where he found the victim asleep on an air mattress in her friend’s room.

Ricardo Perez Castillo, 25, received a sentence of 18.75 to 40 years last Wednesday. He reportedly fell to his knees and asked for forgiveness, as reported by multiple news outlets including Fox affiliate WXMI, ABC affiliate WZZM, NBC affiliate WOOD, CBS affiliate WWMT, People, and Law&Crime.

According to Judge Christina Mims, the sentence was near the maximum she could impose after Castillo pleaded no contest in October to Assault with Intent to Murder, First-Degree Home Invasion, and Second-Degree Assault with Intent to Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct, per the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office. He is also required to register as a sex offender.

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Victim’s Impact Letter

“This case is disturbing on so many levels,” Judge Mims told Castillo in court. “It’s disturbing that you would enter a home you didn’t know, arm yourself, and nearly kill a child who was simply having a sleepover.”

“Your actions resemble a real-life horror movie,” she added. “It’s only by the grace of God that she survived.”

During the sentencing, a letter from the victim, who survived the June 15, 2024 attack, was read aloud. “I remember the pain and seeing my blood everywhere,” she wrote. “I was terrified and confused why this happened to me.”

“I never imagined a sleepover would result in me being hospitalized with serious injuries,” she continued.

Random Pantsless Assault

Authorities reported that Castillo’s crime spree began at a different Rockford home, where he broke in while intoxicated and was discovered in the kitchen by the homeowner. He reportedly told the resident to “be careful” and “stay armed” before leaving.

Later, Castillo allegedly entered another Rockford home. Police received a call just after 3 a.m. from a man who found a pantsless man in his daughter’s room. The man’s daughter’s friend, staying over, had been attacked.

The homeowner held Castillo at gunpoint until police arrived. Detectives found a bloody knife nearby. Security footage showed Castillo entering the house and removing his shoes, socks, and pants.

Wearing only underwear and a t-shirt, he took a knife from the kitchen and went upstairs. “He checked the parents’ room first, then moved on,” said Kent County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Bartlett. Castillo allegedly sought an “easier target,” according to WZZM.

“The second bedroom was locked. The third had the girls,” Bartlett told People. Castillo allegedly found the friend on an air mattress and began stabbing her. “He thought he was stabbing her neck, but it was her shoulder and arm.”

The girls’ screams woke the father, stopping Castillo’s attack. However, Castillo allegedly told police he intended to kill the entire family. “I started with the girl because she was the weakest,” he reportedly said.

Court documents reveal that before stabbing the girl, Castillo removed his underwear and climbed on top of her. When asked why, he allegedly said, “I think I was trying to sleep with her once she was dead.” He reportedly planned “to kill [the victim] and then have sex with her dead body.”

Investigators found no connection between Castillo and the victim or her family, making it a random attack.

Fathers Speak Out

The homeowner who discovered Castillo in his daughter’s room shared in court that his daughter lives in fear of another break-in, according to WZZM.

“We’ve had to move and clean up the aftermath. Hearing what he intended to do is unacceptable,” he said. “This should not be taken lightly.”

He also addressed criticism for not shooting Castillo. “I get backlash for not shooting him. I’m a man of God. It would have caused more harm. God guided me not to,” he explained. “I wish this never happened.”

The victim’s stepfather described the ordeal as “unimaginable.” He said he has worked with Marines struggling with mental health and alcoholism but has “never seen someone trained, willing to kill and rape in such horror.”

He said explaining sexual assault to their daughter is difficult, and seeing her scars is painful. “That’s someone trained to kill, not just intoxicated,” he said.

“The defendant has terrorized these families and changed the community’s perception of safety,” Bartlett said in court, according to WZZM.

Defendant’s Defense & Plea

Castillo’s attorney stated that his client struggled with alcoholism after his brother’s death and was intoxicated when he made statements to detectives. “He’s trying to understand how things happened,” the attorney said.

The attorney claimed Castillo believed the apocalypse was occurring. Acknowledging the victim’s lasting scars, the attorney said Castillo had also ruined his own life.

“This will follow him forever. His military career is over. Despite his actions, he has value and will be a member of society,” the attorney argued.

Castillo addressed the courtroom, asking for forgiveness. “I know I don’t deserve it. I’m sorry for the nightmares and pain,” he said. “I was lost.”

He reportedly fell to his knees, expressing remorse. “I’ve found God and realized how lost I truly was. I ask for forgiveness from everyone,” he said.

The judge found Castillo’s belief that the world was ending more concerning. She disagreed with a lighter sentence but felt that imprisoning him indefinitely was not the solution.

Castillo received 530 days credit for time served. He must serve at least 15 years of his 18.5 to 40-year sentence before parole eligibility. He also received concurrent sentences for home invasion and criminal sexual contact.