NEW YORK
WHAM
[with video]
Rochester, N.Y.– A teenager who was sexually abused by a priest will now spend ten years in federal prison for sexually exploiting other children. Paul Hearty is now 37-years-old. He pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and will get an enhanced sentence in spite of letters written on his behalf from members of the Catholic Church.
“It’s really a tragic day that we’ve come to this point,” said Federal Judge Frank Geraci. He acknowledged the letters written by a Syracuse bishop and a Catholic priest from Rochester expressing the partial responsibility of the church for what happened but said the sentence is mandatory because it is Hearty’s second offence.
Federal prosecutor Tina Lee said because Hearty himself was a child victim “he of all people would understand the pain sexually abused minors experience.” Hearty agreed. He told the court, “I am struggling against a wall of past trauma and fear.” He said he accepts full responsibility and apologized.
“I ask forgiveness from those exploited by these events,” he said. More than a decade ago, Paul Hearty came forward to say he was sexually abused as a teenager by a Rochester priest. Father William Lum later pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct and Hearty received a settlement from the Catholic church.
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