NY Baptist Pastor Sentenced

Jun 5, 2007, WETM-TV, Elmira, NY

Posted By: Naveen Dhaliwal

BATH - A Southern Tier pastor who pled guilty to sexually abusing three kids was sentenced Monday afternoon.

David Troup, 40, will spend more than a decade in prison.  His family was visibly upset after Steuben County Court Judge Marianne Furfure ruled.

Troup's attorney, William Kelley, and his social worker both spoke to the court indicating how motivated Troup was during his treatment sessions in the last couple of months. 

Troup was caught last August after someone called the State Child Abuse Hotline.  He was then arrested in October for sexually abusing three boys under the age of 13 in 2005 and 2006 at the Borden Baptist church in Woodhull where he was a pastor.  One boy was 12 years old at the time and the other two were 10. 

Kelley said the fact that Troup took ownership of his crime should be taken into consideration when being sentenced.  And that seemed to help because Troup received 12 years out the 32 years he could have received.  Steuben County District Attorney John Tunney had recommended 20 years.

Judge Furfure said even though Troup sought treatment, sexual addition is a choice he clearly made.  She said Troup was suppose to be a mentor, a trusted advisor, and a friend to these boys, but he abused his position.  She said Troup may be remorseful, but the past cannot be changed and the three victims will be living with this experience for the rest of their lives.  She said he could have stopped the abuse and sought treatment earlier rather than waiting until he was caught.

Both Tunney and Kelley agree the sentence was reasonable.

“I think the sentence was fair.  It’s a really unusual case.  There are a number of unusual things here. First of all he has no criminal record, not even a speeding ticket.  And secondly he walked in and pled guilty,” says Kelley.

“It was less than I had requested, but as the judge acknowledged, she has a difficult job and I respect her decision,” says Tunney.

Troup was charged with eight different crimes including sexual abuse, sexual conduct, and endangering the welfare of a child.  After his 12 year sentence, Troup will require 8 years of post release supervision.  He will also have to be listed under the sex offender registry and give his DNA to authorities.

http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=e36bc51f-8fa8-4fef-ae3b-3b1415d5334b

Baptist pastor pleads guilty on sex-abuse; sentencing postponed
May 21, 2007
Star-Gazette

Elmira, NY

The sentencing of a former Steuben County pastor on felony sexual abuse charges that was scheduled for this morning was adjourned to 9:30 a.m. June 4 in Steuben County Court.

David J. Troup, 39, of Frog Hollow Road, Painted Post, pleaded guilty in February before Judge Marianne Furfure to all charges in a Jan. 18 indictment. He faces up to 32 years in state prison.

The former pastor of the Borden Baptist Church in the town of Woodhull, Troup pleaded guilty to first-degree course of conduct against a child, second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and three counts of second-degree sexual abuse.

The indictment said Troup, between June 2005 and January 2006, engaged in two or more sexual acts with a child under the age of 13. He was also accused of subjecting a person under 14 years old to sexual contact in August and September 2006.

http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070521/UPDATE/305210019

Steuben pastor faces sex abuse charges
Baptist church leader accused of abusing two boys under 11
by Larry Wilson
lwilson@stargazette.com
Star-Gazette Corning Bureau (New York)
October 31, 2006

WOODHULL -- David J. Troup, pastor of the Borden Baptist Church, has been jailed on felony sexual abuse charges.

State police from Painted Post arrested the 39-year-old Troup, who lives in Painted Post, on Saturday evening following an investigation that lasted less than a week.

Investigator Curt Eaton said the investigation began last week after state police received a report from the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment in Albany.

Eaton declined to say whether the children reported the alleged incidents to their parents or to other adults.

Eaton said the victims are two boys younger than 11 years old. The incident occurred in July 2005 in the town of Woodhull, according to a felony complaint filed in the case.

Eaton declined to say whether it happened at the church, which is located in the town of Woodhull. Both the children are receiving counseling, Eaton said.

An order of protection barring Troup from further contact with the children has been issued.

Troup was arraigned in Town of Erwin Court and sent to the Steuben County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or $20,000 property bond. He was scheduled to appear in Woodhull Town Court on Monday night. Eaton said that appearance could result in assignment of a lawyer for the defendant.

Efforts were unsuccessful Monday night to reach Justice George B. Farrand concerning action in Town Court regarding Troup.

First-degree sexual abuse is violent felony punishable by up to seven years in state prison.