Former Casper Church Janitor Sentenced to Prison for Molestation

By Megan Cassidy
Kitsap Sun
October 9, 2013

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/oct/09/former-casper-church-janitor-sentenced-to-prison/#axzz2hK1KNDRX

James David Jaure refused to look at his victims or their families as they castigated everything from his character to his manhood in open court. He instead sat shrunken, facing only his attorney, nearly motionless.

The former Highland Park Church janitor was earlier convicted of three counts of sexual abuse of a minor involving three young victims. Police say Jaure, 29, used his position to masquerade as a youth minister and gain the girls’ trust.

The girls were 11, 12 and 15 at the times of the assaults.

There was little left to discuss procedurally by Jaure’s sentencing Wednesday afternoon in Natrona County District Court.

Both attorneys asked Judge Catherine Wilking to accept the recommended plea agreement — 13 to 15 years in prison for the count of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor and 16 to 19 years for the two counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, with the sentences running concurrently.

Jaure was already a convicted sex offender when he was employed at the church.

The majority of Wednesday’s hearing was dedicated to the statements of two of the three victims and their respective parents. Disdain was the general consensus.

“I hate you, James Jaure,” a father said, his voice trembling. “ You, James, are an incurable monster. I don’t care if you die.”

Another father said he was tempted at times to take the law into his own hands.

“I am very qualified at terminating life,” he said.

Both the parents and their daughters spoke of the initial shame and self-blame that the girls felt after the assaults. In the aftermath, they faced eating disorders and trouble sleeping and attended counseling.

Some parents reserved portions of their statements to condemn the church for not alerting its members that a convicted sex offender was working in the building.

The final girl to address the court during the victim statements stood, poised, and told the judge that in her opinion, her attacker was “nowhere near human.”

Her speech, though, reached an empowering conclusion.

“My life doesn’t end with me being a victim,” she said. “My story ends how I choose.”

The only statement Jaure’s defense attorney, Dion Custis, offered on behalf of his client was how Jaure was willing to take responsibility for his actions.

Jaure briefly apologized to the victims when it was his opportunity to speak.

Wilking upheld the plea agreement and noted that she was struck by the strength of the victims.

After the conclusion of the hearing, one girl and her father remained in the courtroom gallery. The two stood, motionless, hugging each as other families filed out of the courtroom and Jaure was led away.