By Cristina Rodda
KOB
July 23, 2011
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2210969.shtml?cat=504
[with video]
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Former Rio Rancho mayor and pastor William Howden apologized before he learned his sentence for sexually abusing a young girl. It was a very emotional and heart-wrenching day in the courtroom as Howden learned his fate Friday evening.
The girl's mother explained to the judge, "We've talked about angels protecting her since she was a baby. She then said, 'Well why did the angels have to let it happen to me?' This is what she said after that (the abuse)."
William Howden's victim was only seven-years-old when he sexually abused her. He showed her pornography on a computer while she sat on his lap. He sexually touched her and made her touch him.
The girl's father said that since the abuse, she's angry, she hits herself, and calls herself stupid. She is undergoing therapy.
The victim's father said to the judge, "I am sad because this has taken her innocence away and I am also sad because this should not have happened to her in the first place."
The abuse happened in 2009 when Howden ran his own business as a pre-marriage counselor. Howden told the judge that he regretted what he did and wanted to plead guilty to the charges to avoid further hurting his victim.
To the judge he said, "I really am sorry. Your honor, I am thoroughly convinced that I will not offend again."
Howden pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sexual contact. Howden's attorney asked the judge to give Howden probation only. The judge sentenced him to nine years in prison, which was the longest sentence he could give him according to the plea deal. Howden's attorney claims Howden was depressed at the time of the abuse. His attorney also claims Howden has been an upstanding member of the community.
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