Posted on 09/20/2010 4:23:53 PM PDT by Colofornian
American Fork » Former LDS seminary principal Michael Jay Pratt will spend at least five years in prison for sexually abusing a student 20 years younger than himself.
Fourth District Judge Christine Johnson imposed concurrent sentences of five years to life in prison for first-degree felony forcible sodomy and two object rape charges, and one to 15 years for forcible sexual assault, a second-degree felony. Johnson said it was a sentence that best balanced the needs of justice and mercy in a case that carried heavy religious overtones.
Pratt pleaded guilty to the crimes in June as part of an agreement in which prosecutors dropped 11 other charges.
Pratt’s attorney, Stephen McCaughey, sought to get Pratt two years in the Utah County Jail followed by a lengthy probation. He said Pratt had no prior criminal record, and the case did not involve violence or physical force. McCaughey argued Pratt would likely serve about six years in prison on the charges.
Pratt said he was sorry for what he had done, and was given enough time to hug his wife before he was escorted from the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies.
Johnson said Pratt’s position as a teacher and spiritual adviser at Lone Peak High School placed him in a position of trust which he abused.
The victim and her family also told the court how Pratt had gained their trust as a dedicated, popular teacher and church leader who was helping the victim through a rough spot in life. He then manipulated the victim into going along with his sexual fantasies.
“Justice was served, but it is a tragedy,” the victim’s stepfather said after the hearing.
From the article: Johnson said Pratt’s position as a teacher and spiritual adviser at Lone Peak High School placed him in a position of trust which he abused.
The comment at the end tells us this victim is from a broken home; and this guy exacerbated whatever problems she was having. Maybe it's time to remove all official seminary principals from public Utah schools; they can locate near the school & keep the Mormon education component separate and private.
Since sodomites molest at rate more than an order of magnitude greater than heterosexuals, perhaps its time to get all of Kevin Jennings’ friends out of the schools. Better yet, get all children out of the government schools.
fuggedabouddit. it doesn’t count unless your Catholic.
Is he of the Orson Pratt family?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orson_Pratt
Orson Pratt (September 19, 1811 – October 3, 1881) was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. ...
It is his obsession but I am beggining to wonder if the Salt Lake Tribune isn’t also obsessed.
They are printing these stories and for some reason pointing out the perps are LDS and what their position is in the church.
It’s puzzling and odd.
Part and parcel of the media’s anti-Christian bias generally. If it was done by a Muslim, you’d never know his religious affiliation. Most of the time when there’s a terrorist attack or an attempt it takes them a day before admitting it was a Muslim who did it.
True; but the media is so dumb, it don't know that MORMONs are not Christians!
I don’t get the wife hugging her husband. If I found my husband had raped and abused a child, I’d be hitting him with a bat.
The name of the LDS Church: The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. The LDS Church worships Jesus Christ just as other Christians do. They are therefore Christians.
No they do not.
lds worship a created christ NOT the Christ of the Bible.
Don’t worry about what these people write, Paragon. If you’re not taking flak, you’re not over the target.
That's sick....
Are you a mormon?
Thanks for noting that. I learned typing at Weber High School in 1957 from Mr. Smith.
I can certainly say that certain responses are so lightweight that I suppose that the only thing I can note is that certain people say stupid things.
I think it is a simpler statement... here are the facts
=> Mormon official seminary guy
=> First-degree felony forcible SODOMY
=> GUILTY!
Mormons spend millions on public relations.
This is the reality behind the commercials.
Is it true of every mormon? Of course not. No one claims that.
Still, is he having his Official Mormon Temple Recommend revoked? Or is he still on track to become a mormonite god?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.