Pisano gets 8 years in Savannah child sex case

June 10– A man who fled to New Jersey while out of jail on $100,000 bond for eight counts of raping a 12-year-old girl pleaded guilty to lesser charges in Hardin County Circuit Court.

The victim’s mother testified Thursday that her daughter continues to have nightmares as a result of the attacks which took place at a Savannah residence in January 2010.

"What this man did will forever affect my daughter’s life decisions," she said, reading from a prepared statement. "The light has gone from her eyes."

Salvatore Pisano Jr., 53, pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated sexual battery. Four counts of rape of a child were dismissed under the plea agreement.

Circuit Judge Creed McGinley said he approved the plea agreement with the consent of the mother of the victim, who wanted to spare her child the trauma of a trial.

Pisano was sentenced to eight years prison on each count and is to serve 100 percent of his time behind bars. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

After failing to appear for a court hearing on Feb. 22, U.S. marshals apprehended Pisano in Long Beach, N.J., on March 4 after they were contacted by marshals in West Tennessee and informed of his location.