High School Principal Gets Over 10 Yrs for Molesting boys
A man who once worked as Sherwood High School’s principal – but resigned after he was caught molesting a 16-year-old boy – was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison Tuesday for possessing child pornography.
Robert Paul Patton, 45, pleaded guilty to one count after authorities found about 70 images and three videos of child pornography in his possession.
Patton -- who worked as Sherwood's principal from summer 2000 through 2002 -- asked federal Judge Garr King for leniency. He told the story of being booked into jail and answering a question about his housing status by saying he was homeless.
“It was another reminder of how far I have fallen,” Patton said. “I’ve really made a mess of my life. I’ve really hurt some people along the way.”
He continued: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I promise to get help.”
Tuesday’s sentence in U.S. District Court in Oregon is on top of the two years Patton received last year in Multnomah County Circuit Court for sexually preying on a 12-year-old boy.
Defense attorney Whitney Boise had asked the judge to sentence Patton to the minimum under federal law -- 10 years -- and credit Patton with two years for the time he served for victimizing the 12-year-old boy. That would have amounted essentially to an eight-year sentence.
Federal prosecutor Gary Sussman, however, asked for more than 12 years -- arguing that Patton should get more time than the 10-year minimum because he is a pedophile with a history of abuse since 2002. He is not a “passive collector of child pornography,” Sussman said.
“The age (of his victims) is going down instead of up as Mr. Patton ages, despite the fact that he has been through several years of sex-offender treatment,” Sussman said.
Patton resigned from his $95,000-a-year principal post on Jan. 1, 2003. He was convicted later that year of molesting at Tigard and Tualatin motels the 16-year-old boy he'd met online. He was sentenced to six months in jail, a year in a halfway house and a lifetime of registering as a sex offender.
After his release, Patton seemed to have rebuilt his life. He created FabulousPDX.com, an events website catering to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. He told authorities he was making $4,000 to $5,000 a month. But in 2010, Patton failed to register as a sex offender then was convicted in May 2011.
That same month, Patton sexually targeted the 12-year-old boy, who reported he’d slept in Patton’s bed. A teen who had been in the room said he saw Patton kissing the boy.
Tuesday, in addition to 10 years and 7 months of prison time, the judge sentenced Patton to 10 years of post-prison supervision, sex-offender treatment and to live at least 100 yards from schools or playgrounds unless he receives permission.
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