BishopAccountability.org
	Joe Flowers Gets Maximum Sentence for Molesting Boy By Victoria E. Freile Democrat and Chronicle August 19, 2011 http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110819/NEWS01/110819004/Joe-Flowers-gets-maximum-sentence-molesting-boy?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News The former pastor of a Rochester church convicted last month of repeatedly sexually abusing a boy received the maximum sentence. Monroe County Court Judge James J. Piampiano today sentenced Joe. N. Flowers, 41, to seven years in prison and 10 years post-release supervision. Flowers, who had been the pastor of Walk of Life Christian Center in Rochester since it was founded in 1994, was convicted July 19 of second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child. He was found guilty of having repeated sexual contact with a boy younger than 13 from 2007 to 2010 in his Henrietta home. Flowers today apologized to his family, friends and parishioners, but maintained his innocence. He claimed all of his explanations had been “twisted.” “You used the church and position of authority…for your own sexual gratification,” Piampiano said to Flowers. “How selfish and how destructive.” Piampiano, who said Flowers “demonstrated no remorse whatsoever,” also issued an order of protection for the boy, now 12, and ordered Flowers to pay fines and court fees that total more than $1,300. The boy’s mother said she was relieved that the case is over and that she was proud of her son for stepping forward. The two have moved to Utica, where they plan to continue the healing process with therapy, she said. The Democrat and Chronicle does not identify victims of sexual abuse. She also said she was not surprised to hear Flowers blame her son for his troubles. “I expected him to blame us,” the boy’s mother said. “He’s sorry it had to come through the courts, not for what he did…. I pray that he finds repentance and deliverance in his new journey.” Flowers’ attorney Maurice Verrillo said he was disappointed with the sentence. He said Flowers intends to appeal the case. Assistant District Attorney Sara Van Strydonck said she believed Flowers deserved a harsh sentence because he violated the trust of the boy, his family, his church and the community. “He’s extraordinarily self-centered,” she said. “To (Flowers) it was about him, what he lost and how it affected his life.” It was not about the boy, she said. Additional charges are pending against Flowers for allegedly having sexual contact with two other boys. He will appear in Monroe County Court on those charges for a Sept. 6. pretrial hearing Contact: VFREILE@DemocratandChronicle.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.