A pastor of a now defunct church was sentenced to 26 1/2 years for molesting and sexually exploiting females between ages 7 and 24 in a Kitsap, WA church. Robbin Leeroy Harper, 60 was arrested in November after 10 victims claimed they were either raped, molested, or both by the pastor. Harper pled guilty to 7 felony and one misdemeanor count of sexual abuse charges, and a joint recommendation of 23 1/4 years was submitted by both the prosecution and defense.
Harper was apologetic in his statements to the packed courthouse.
"I'm ashamed," he said. "From the beginning of this, I never wanted to go to trial. I wanted to plead guilty from the beginning."
Harper said he had tried to seek help over the past two years, and said the time in jail so far has been beneficial. "Many of the questions people have here are the same ones I have," he said.
The sentencing allowed the attorneys, victims, family and friends of the victims and Harper, and Harper himself to speak. Several family members of victims took the opportunity, as well as one victim, in addition to Harper.
Court documents indicate that, as the head of the now defunct Church in South Colby, Harper used his office to hold private meetings with the victims, who ranged in age from 7 to 24. The meetings led to suggestive hugs, then inappropriate touching, followed by molestation and sexual acts.
Harper was sentenced to 26 1/2 years in prison, but with good behavior, he should only serve 24. He will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment