New York: An Indian former Roman Catholic priest has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl in the US, according to a media report.
John Praveen, 38, pleaded guilty in February to sexually touching a 13-year-old girl in the Rapid City church, South Dakota over her clothes last year.
Judge Steven Mandel handed down the sentence on Friday after prosecutors asked for the maximum of one year in prison.
Mandel said that was ‘not adequate’ for Praveen’s crime, the report said.
He sentenced Praveen to six years in prison, minus 178 days of time served, and said he would be eligible for parole after three years.
The sentencing came after Praveen pleaded guilty to one count of having sexual contact with a child under the age of 16, a crime that carries a maximum 15-year punishment, the report said.
Mandel said if Praveen is granted parole, the parole board could ask Homeland Security to immediately deport him to Hyderabad or have him first serve parole in any state, the report added.
Praveen had joined the Rapid City Diocese for a 10-year assignment in December 2017.
He apologised and told the court he wishes he could take back what he did.
PTI