Friday, July 02, 2010

Youth Pastor Bradley Boda sentenced

BradleyBoda-1Youth Pastor Bradley Boda pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Bradley Boda pleaded guilty in April to sexual assault on a child with a pattern of abuse and sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. His deal stipulates that a judge may sentence him to between 10 and 20 years in prison, followed by lifetime probation. Prosecutors dismissed 11 other felony counts.

Boda was a pedophile who victimized young boys.

In November 2008, Longmont police began investigating reports from men who said Boda used his position with the church to develop sexual relationships with them when they were as young as 11. He was either a church volunteer or a youth director from 1991 to 2004. Boda was arrested in September at his Berthoud home after he failed to show up for his counseling job at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins. No cases turned up in Fort Collins.

Boda was the youth pastor at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Longmont, CO. The church has a statement on its website.

The leadership of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church is pleased that justice has now been served in this case. The Judge thoughtfully and professionally sentenced Mr. Boda after considering testimony of victims and their families as well as statements from family and friends of Mr. Boda during the sentencing hearing.

It reads like the police and church worked to bring Boda to justice. I applaud their efforts.

There is a good profile on Boda at the Coloradoan. The comments are interesting.