Douglas James Young, Jr. of Lebanon was sentenced to 282 months of prison on Jan. 9 after pleading no contest to 12 sex-abuse related charges.
“The defendant was in a position of authority and trust for years as a Boy Scout leader,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Crow. “He used that position to target and groom boys for his sexual gratification. Today, he has been held accountable and will be in prison for at least 20 years.”
Young, 46, faced 43 charges for charges that involved 10 victims.
He was convicted of three counts of first-degree sex abuse, four counts of second-degree sex abuse, one count of third-degree sex abuse and four counts of attempting to use a child in display of sexually explicit conduct.
“Had this case gone to trial, Mr. Young could have been convicted on those counts,” said Jason Thompson, Young’s attorney.
Twelve counts of first-degree sex abuse, six counts of second-degree sex abuse, four counts of third-degree sex abuse and nine counts of second-degree sodomy were dismissed.
Young was first arrested on March 14, 2017 on five counts of first-degree sex abuse and four counts of second-degree sex abuse. He posted bail on March 15, was arrested again the next day and arraigned on 34 more counts of sex abuse.
He posted bail on March 17, 2017, with a condition of his release to not have contact with the alleged victims or their families or have unsupervised contact with children. He remained out on bail until he was taken into custody on Jan. 9, 2018.
Three more charges were added on Jan. 8, 2018, the day before his plea and sentencing hearing. Those incidents are alleged to have occurred on or between June of 2014 and Dec. 31, 2016.
Young’s arrest was the result of an investigation that began on Feb. 28, 2017 when it was reported that Young had inappropriate contact with a minor. During the course of the investigation, additional victims, who are now adults, were contacted and interviewed.
Linn County Circuit Court Judge Thomas McHill said he appreciated the accountability that he has seen Young take.
“The damage that was done is incalculable for the folks who have suffered at your hands, but I appreciate the accountability that I’ve seen,” McHill said.
Neither Young nor the victims who were present in court made statements.
The Lebanon Police Department has had contact with Young over the past 12 years, including two times for alleged sex abuse. No charges were filed in those instances.
“The successful prosecution of this case is due to the diligent work of Lebanon Police Department detectives Taylor Jackson and Ryan Padua and the courage of the victims who came forward,” Crow said.