Former Priest Sentenced to 9-10 Years for Molesting Child

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A former priest who "hid behind his collar" was sentenced to the maximum of nine to 10 years Thursday for molesting a 10-year-old boy.

Former priest John Geogan, who has made headlines in an unraveling sexual abuse scandal that has rocked Boston's Roman Catholic community, used his position in the church to prey on young boys, Judge Sandra Hamlin said in announcing the sentence.

Hamlin noted Geoghan's admissions of molesting other children and psychological evaluations citing his lack of concern for his victims and his tendency to blame them for his acts.

Under the sentence, Geoghan could be eligible for parole in six years. The judge ordered strict monitoring after any later release.

Geoghan, 66, was convicted last month of indecent assault and battery for fondling the boy in 1991 at a community swimming pool. The victim, who knew Geoghan, had testified that he was trying to teach himself how to dive when Geoghan reached inside his swimming trunks and grabbed his buttocks.

Since 1995, more than 130 people have claimed Geoghan fondled or raped them during the three decades he served in Boston-area parishes. The trial was the first of three criminal cases against Geoghan. He also is named in more than 80 civil suits.

The second trial, which was to have started Wednesday, is delayed while the judge hears arguments on whether the statute of limitations for the alleged crime has expired.

Geoghan's attorneys argued Wednesday in that case that the molestation accusations were made in 1986, when the statute of limitations was 10 years. Prosecutor David Deakin countered that the charges are based on specific allegations made in 1989, within the current 15-year limit. The hearing is to continue Friday.

The allegations against Geoghan and questions of how much church officials knew have created a scandal for the church and led to major changes in how the Archdiocese of Boston deals with allegations of abuse.

Last month, Cardinal Bernard Law ordered that church officials report all accusations of sexual abuse against minors, including past allegations. Law has since given prosecutors the names of more than 80 active and former priests accused of abuse during the last four decades. Nine active priests have been suspended.

The archdiocese also has been criticized over documents showing that church officials knew of allegations against Geoghan years ago but continued to move him from parish to parish.

During Geoghan's sentencing Thursday, the victim, now a 20-year-old college junior, told the court he felt "nauseous" and that he was angered by the "emotionless" face Geoghan showed at the trial.

"I think as much time away from the outside world as possible will do him so good," he said.

Prosecutors had asked the judge for the maximum sentence for Geoghan.

"This man is a predatory pedophile," Assistant District Attorney Lynn Rooney said. "He has a documented history of taking extraordinary measures for his own sexual gratification."

Defense attorney Geoffrey Packard had asked the judge to sentence Geoghan to probation, saying Geoghan was a good priest and neighbor. He asked Hamlin not to go outside the guidelines just because Geoghan "is the flashpoint for the issue that has shaken the foundation of the Archdiocese of Boston."

The judge said Geoghan's career as a priest did not outweigh his crime.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.