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The Nugget Newspaper
Sisters, Oregon
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The contents of the on-line edition of The Nugget represent a selection among the stories that appear in the weekly print edition.

Judge imposes maximum sentence on Taylor

Judge Michael Sullivan imposed the maximum 74-month sentence on Terry Taylor of Sisters in an emotional sentencing hearing on Friday, January 24.

Taylor pleaded guilty by way of Alford plea on January 2 to two counts of third degree sex abuse; one count of first degree attempted sex abuse; and two counts of second degree sex abuse. All counts involved incidents involving his step-daughters occurring between 1999 and 2001.

Under the Alford plea, Taylor did not admit to the allegations, but agreed to accept the plea agreement offered by the District Attorney's office.

Sullivan said he carefully reviewed the evidence in the case, including reports from two doctors who evaluated Taylor.

"I was very disappointed with the way you took responsibility for your actions in this report," Sullivan said.

"Weird and deviant behavior is not 'inappropriate boundaries,'" said the judge. "'Inappropriate boundaries' is not what happened in this case and you know it and I know it."

Sullivan said he believed the testimony of Taylor's three former step-daughters, each of whom spoke at the sentencing hearing.

They described mental as well as sexual abuse that made them feel powerless to stop behavior that they believed was not right.

Sullivan noted that Taylor's actions injured others besides the girls, including his own family.

"They suffer from the stigma as well," the judge said.

Taylor told the court he is "profoundly sorry for the mistakes and actions I have made.

"In my time away I will devote myself to learning to be a better person and to getting help with my issues," he said.

Help may be hard to come by in a prison system that no longer funds programs for sex offenders.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Deputies took Taylor into custody immediately after the hearing. In addition to his prison sentence, Taylor will have extensive post-prison supervision and must register as a sex offender.

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