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	Former Priest Gets 275 Years for Molesting Boys By Eduardo Montes Associated Press June 5, 1993 A retired Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to a maximum 275 years in prison for molesting eight boys in New Mexico 20 years ago. David Holley showed no emotion as Judge Robert Doughty handed down the sentences that would require Holley to serve a minimum of 55 years in prison. Based on the minimum sentence, he could be eligible for parole in about 18 years. Holley, 65, pleaded guilty in March to eight molestation counts, including charges of sexual assault, sodomy and aggravated sodomy. "The position from which you committed these offences shocked this court," Doughty said in sentencing Holley yesterday. Five of Holley's victims testified during the hearing. They did not react when the sentence was announced. District Attorney Bert Atkins said he hoped the sentence would "send a very strong message to everyone out there who may be feeling they are capable of committing this act". Holley's lawyer, Robert McDowell, said Holley "continued to maintain how remorseful and sad he is over what has happened in the past". He added: "But at the same time he is willing to serve his sentence and he accepts it." The offences, involving boys aged 10 to 13, happened in 1972-74 while Holley served at St Jude Mission Church in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Before being sentenced, Holley told the judge he not seen his victims in more than 20 years. "When they shared their pain, their embarrassment, their anguish, their suffering, I was able to identify with them," he said.
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