At family's request, judge sends 'beastly' Heber charity founder to prison for abuse [ExLDS Bishop]

Deseret News ^ | Nov. 2, 2011 | Emiley Morgan

[Colofornian]

HEBER CITY — Whatever else he may have been, whatever good deeds have been attributed to him, it was clear Wednesday what Lon Kennard Sr.'s family thinks he is.

"Monster." "Predator." "A disgusting man." "A beastly person."

"You've ruined memories, cursed lives and broken dreams," one adopted daughter told the man.

"He brought these sweet, innocent girls here under the guise of charity and turned them into personal sex slaves," a biological son told 4th District Judge Derek Pullan.

Family member after family member — some sobbing, others defiant — stood before Pullan and demanded that Kennard, 70, receive the maximum punishment — consecutive sentences of five years to life in prison for three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony.

And Pullan, after deliberating for nearly an hour in his chambers, delivered the desired sentence, chastising Kennard for going after victims who were "especially vulnerable."

"You were their father and spiritual leader and you groomed them to fulfill your desires," Pullan said, adding that Kennard also told the girls the behavior was normal.

SNIP

She questioned why he was allowed to plead guilty to fewer charges than he had victims.

SNIP

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop all other charges. The child victims in the case are now adults. Court records indicate Kennard abused six girls related to him and a seventh victim — an Ethiopian 14-year-old — and made videos of the abuse. The abuse of the 14-year-old occurred in Africa.

Prosecutors say the sexual abuse began in 1995, around the time Kennard was serving as bishop of his LDS Church ward and one year after he and his wife founded Village of Hope. The nonprofit organization provides services to destitute villages in Mexico, Central America, Ethiopia and the Caribbean.

[Colofornian]

Truly heartbreaking. ("Oh, Lord, heal their damaged emotions and relational consequences...bring true restoration, recovery, beauty in the midst of these ashes.")

From the article: Family member after family member — some sobbing, others defiant — stood before Pullan and demanded that Kennard, 70, receive the maximum punishment — consecutive sentences of five years to life in prison for three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony...The child victims in the case are now adults. Court records indicate Kennard abused six girls related to him and a seventh victim — an Ethiopian 14-year-old — and made videos of the abuse. The abuse of the 14-year-old occurred in Africa. Prosecutors say the sexual abuse began in 1995, around the time Kennard was serving as bishop of his LDS Church ward and one year after he and his wife founded Village of Hope.

Previous articles on Kennard:

* Heber charity founder Lon Kennard Sr. charged with years of sexual abuse
* Family apologizes after sexual abuse arrest

[Colofornian]

Here is the Salt Lake Trib article on this: Children’s charity co-founder sentenced in sex abuse case

[Colofornian]

From the Trib: Kennard asked for forgiveness. “I’m begging on my hands and knees that my family doesn’t keep me as an outcast,” he said. “I need a family. It’s horrible not to have a family.” After the sentencing, one of Kennard’s biological sons, Vyrl Kennard, said he doesn’t want to talk to his father ever again. He said most of his siblings have cut off communication with their father, too. “I’ve been looking forward to today as a chance for some closure,” he said. “That’s what I feel, closure and relief.” The family released a prepared statement that reads, in part: “With a predator who has so completely and convincingly disguised himself as a pillar of the community for so many years, we feel it is in society’s best interest to keep Lon Kennard Sr. locked away permanently.”
Source: Children’s charity co-founder sentenced in sex abuse case

[Tennessee Nana]

BTTT

[Tennessee Nana]

“With a predator who has so completely and convincingly disguised himself as a pillar of the community for so many years, we feel it is in society’s best interest to keep Lon Kennard Sr. locked away permanently.”
____________________________________________

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Joey Smith was shot for the same thing...

[svcw]

This is so disgusting I want to vomit, yet it is no different than Joseph Smith the founder of lds.