A former teacher was sentenced Friday to 20 years to life in prison for 16 felonies arising from eight separate sexual assaults on a child.
According to the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, John Holland Brothers, 45, could have been sentenced to a maximum of 192 years to life.
Officials said if the Colorado Department of Corrections determines that Brothers has successfully progressed in sex offender treatment and would not pose an undue threat to the community, he could be set free after 20 years.
Brothers, who worked as a pastor and teacher at a Christian school in Steamboat Springs, is scheduled for trial in Kentucky on felony charges arising from an alleged sexual incident with a child in that jurisdiction.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Karzen argued for a total sentence of 80 years to life in prison, representing 10 years for each of the eight times the defendant attacked the child in the youth’s own bedroom. He noted that the evidence at trial demonstrated that Brothers was a serial child predator who relentlessly manipulated children to satisfy his sexual desires.
District Attorney Brett Barkey said: “We are deeply disappointed in the sentence. The facts of this case called for a sentence which sent a stronger statement of deterrence for those who prey on children and a stronger statement of support for victims.”
