Priest jailed for sexual abuse
Los Angeles, California -
A judge sentenced a defiant former Roman Catholic priest to more than six years in prison for molesting three boys.
The judge on Friday said Fernando Lopez, 40, used his position to abuse the boys during a three-year period that began shortly after his transfer to Los Angeles from Rome in 2001.
"The defendant robbed the victims of innocence and scarred them for life," Judge Ruth Kwan said. "He preyed upon their strong beliefs in the church. ... He destroyed their faith."
Two of Lopez's victims earlier told of lasting pain from the abuse, while nearly two dozen parishioners praised their former priest.
Holding his hands out to the teen and young man in the courtroom, Lopez said: "I would like to offer my forgiveness to those who betrayed my trust and friendship," Lopez said.
He was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison and ordered to pay restitution and fines as well as register as a sex offender. He will be credited for 10 months served.
Lopez was convicted last month of five felony and three misdemeanour counts. He planned to appeal, his attorney William Moore said.
Read the article News24.com Dated April 23, 2005
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A judge sentenced a defiant former Roman Catholic priest to more than six years in prison for molesting three boys.
The judge on Friday said Fernando Lopez, 40, used his position to abuse the boys during a three-year period that began shortly after his transfer to Los Angeles from Rome in 2001.
"The defendant robbed the victims of innocence and scarred them for life," Judge Ruth Kwan said. "He preyed upon their strong beliefs in the church. ... He destroyed their faith."
Two of Lopez's victims earlier told of lasting pain from the abuse, while nearly two dozen parishioners praised their former priest.
Holding his hands out to the teen and young man in the courtroom, Lopez said: "I would like to offer my forgiveness to those who betrayed my trust and friendship," Lopez said.
He was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison and ordered to pay restitution and fines as well as register as a sex offender. He will be credited for 10 months served.
Lopez was convicted last month of five felony and three misdemeanour counts. He planned to appeal, his attorney William Moore said.
Read the article News24.com Dated April 23, 2005
posted by God Almighty Himself at 4:24 AM
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