Evans Gets at Least 14 Years Former Priest Sentenced for Molesting Boy, by Sara Reed, The Coloradoan [Fort Collins CO], May 31, 2007

Evans Gets at Least 14 Years
Former Priest Sentenced for Molesting Boy

By Sara Reed
The Coloradoan [Fort Collins CO]
May 31, 2007

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/NEWS01/705310356/1002

Timothy Evans sullied the names of dedicated clergy and fed the distrust of organized religion, a judge said Wednesday as she ordered Evans to serve at least 14 years in prison for molesting a 17-year-old boy while he was the priest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Fort Collins a decade ago.

"His decision and actions have caused great pain and trauma," District Court Judge Jolene Blair said in a packed courtroom at the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave. "Mr. Evans' decisions hurt those he purported to care about the most."

Former Catholic priest Tim Evans, left, talks with his lawyer, Andy Gavaldon, after he was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years to life for molesting a boy while a priest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins.
Photo by V. Richard Haro/The Coloradoan

In March, a jury convicted Evans of fondling Nick Gerber on two separate occasions between Sept. 1, 1998, and May 18, 1999.

The Coloradoan does not identify victims or alleged victims of sexual assault, but Gerber consented to having his name used.

Gerber, now 26, said after the hearing that he was pleased with the sentence. During the hearing, Gerber called Evans a "master manipulator," a "menace to society" and said that Evans would re-offend given the chance.

"It's comforting to know he is going away for a long time," Gerber said after the sentencing.

Evans, who left St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in 2002 and was removed from the priesthood in 2003, said Wednesday he would appeal the conviction.

Evans offered no apology during the hearing but did address his behavior.

"I may love recklessly and foolishly," he said. "But I love unconditionally."

During a conversation between Evans and Gerber recorded by police and played at trial, Evans told Gerber, "I wanted you to feel loved and I didn't know how else to do it."

In most felony sex crime cases, the judge sets the minimum amount of time a defendant will serve. Once that time has passed, a parole board decides when or whether the individual will be released.

If Evans is paroled, he will have to register as a sex offender and, among other conditions, will not be allowed any contact with minors or to be anywhere minors are likely to be.

Blair praised the four young men who testified against Evans at trial as "credible and honorable young men" who have since been ridiculed and ostracized by their former peers.

Many of the letters written on behalf of Evans criticized Gerber and the others who testified, she said.

Dana Rotkovich, a former youth pastor at the parish who testified at trial that Evans fondled him during marriage counseling sessions, said that there have been repercussions from coming forward. Rotkovich also consented to having his name printed. Evans never was charged in connection with Rotkovich's allegations.

"I lost my entire faith community," he said.

The case wasn't about the physical contact, Rotkovich said during the hearing.

"It's way bigger than the physical touch," he said. "It's abuse of his power."

Others, however, spoke of the Evans they knew as a kind, caring and compassionate man.

"He is the most kind, compassionate, giving person I've ever known," said Hollis Wakeford, who worked with Evans at an area Home Depot. "He is everything that is good, true and right with the world."

Evans, who smiled as his supporters spoke but sat emotionless as Gerber and Rotkovich spoke, also addressed Blair during the sentencing.

"I ask you to join me in the process of healing today," said Evans, who was dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit. His wrists and ankles were cuffed.

Evans said during the hearing that he is appealing the jury's verdict. Following the hearing, his attorney, Andy Gavaldón, would not speak about the grounds of the appeal but said the State Office of the Public Defender is handling it.

Gavaldón expressed frustration during and after the hearing about the sentencing guidelines for the case. Colorado law mandates at least a 10-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of sexually assaulting a child with a pattern of abuse.

"It's a cruel section of statute under the circumstances," he said during the hearing.

The Archdiocese of Denver issued a statement Wednesday afternoon offering prayers and support to Evans' victims and their families.

"I deeply regret the pain that these damaging events have caused," Archbishop Charles Chaput said.

Chaput said policy was followed and Evans was removed from the priesthood as soon as the allegations were made.

Evans is set for sentencing in Jefferson County at 8 a.m. today for fondling a 16-year-old boy between 1995 and 1997 while assigned to the Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada. The boy's parents had sent him to Evans for counseling.

Evans was convicted at trial in April. Prison is not mandatory in that case because it happened before Colorado law required a prison sentence for such a conviction.

The judge in that case can sentence Evans to between two and eight years in prison and can order that the sentence be served consecutive to Blair's sentence.