Former Catholic priest, 61, is sentenced to 60 years behind bars for raping a 13-year-old girl at her family’s South Texas home
Stephen Dougherty, 61, assaulted the girl at her South Texas family home in 2011
She came forward and reported it in 2016 at the urging of a counselor
The victim has filed a civil suit against the Diocese of Corpus Christi, saying it didn’t do enough to protect her
Dougherty has been on leave from ministry since 2011 since another allegation of sexual misconduct
DAILYMAIL.COM
3 March 2018
A former Roman Catholic priest will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Stephen Tarleton Dougherty, 61, was sentenced to 60 years in prison after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault.
Dougherty, who was ordained in 2003, was convicted of raping a then 13 year-old at her family ranch near the South Texas town of Beeville in 2011.
The victim came forward after a counselor persuaded her to, according to USA Today. Dougherty was indicted in 2016.
In a statement after the conviction Thursday, the Diocese of Corpus Christie said in a statement that it ‘is aware of the verdict in the Stephen Dougherty trial. In July 2015, the Diocese was contacted by Bee County law enforcement concerning Dougherty and has cooperated with that investigation. Stephen Dougherty has been on leave and out of ministry since December, 2011.’
The Diocese declined to comment further since it, along with Dougherty are involved in an ongoing civil suit brought by the victim, who claims they did not do enough to protect her.
The victim’s accusation was the second sexual misconduct allegation reported about Dougherty. The diocese stripped him of his duties in 2011.
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