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	Ex-Church Worker Convicted of 28 Sex Charges Man, 34, Faces Possible 500-Year Prison Term KPHO-TV - NEWS5 January 9, 2008 http://www.kpho.com/news/15014650/detail.html PHOENIX — A former church youth worker has been found guilty of 28 counts of sexual abuse involving three boys over a five-year-period, County Attorney Andrew Thomas said on Wednesday. James Downs, 34, and all three victims attended New Destiny Christian Church in Laveen, Thomas said. Downs was indicted on Dec. 13, 2006, following his arrest on Sept. 15, 2006. Downs was convicted on Tuesday of: 14 counts of sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15. In these counts, the victims are 12 or under and the mandatory sentence is life in prison without the possibility of parole for 35 years per count. One count of sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15. The sentencing range is 13 to 20 years. One count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15. The sentencing range is 5 to 10 years. 12 counts of sexual conduct with a minor over the age of 15. The sentencing range is four months to one year per count. The crimes were committed between June 2001 and September 2006, Thomas said. "By committing these horrid crimes, this defendant grossly violated the trust he was given," Thomas said. "I am hopeful that these convictions, and the fact that this offender never again will be able to harm a child, can bring greater peace and healing to all involved." Thomas said all of the convictions for counts of sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15 must be consecutive to each other. That means the minimum sentence on those counts alone would be more than 500 years. Sentencing is set for Feb. 8.
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