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	Ex-Deacon Sentenced to 20 Years in Child Sex Abuse Case NBC 4 May 15, 2008 http://www.nbc4.com/news/16276179/detail.html ROCKVILLE, Md. — A former deacon at a Maryland church was sentenced Thursday to 20 years for sexually abusing two young girls over several years. Daniel Stallings, 72, apologized to his victims before a Montgomery County judge handed down the sentence. One of Stallings' victims was a family member. She was 11 when the sexual abuse began. It continued for six years. Another victim was a member of his church. She said she looked up to Stallings as a mentor and he told her God was smiling on them. Prosecutor Donna Fenton said the case was about abuse of power and trust. She showed the judge a picture of a smiling 7-year-old girl and said Stallings killed the light that shined in her young eyes. Watch The Report In court Thursday, the victims asked the judge to put Stallings in jail for a long time so he can't victimize others. Members of Stallings' family testified that they fear he poses a danger to the community unless he is locked up because his house in Silver Spring is located near St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, a playground and an elementary school. Defense attorney Thomas DeGonia said that even though Stallings will qualify for parole in five years, the sentence is harsh because of his client's age.
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