A Colorado court on Friday sentenced a former Henderson youth minister to 20 years to life on sexual abuse charges.

John H. Brothers Jr., who also faces sexual abuse charges in Henderson, was convicted in Routt County, Colorado, in June on 16 counts of sexual assault on a child.

Routt County District Attorney Brett Barkey told The Gleaner Friday that prosecutors were disappointed in the sentence.

“Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Karzen argued for a total sentence of 80 years to life in prison,” Barkey said. “He noted that the evidence at trial demonstrated that Mr. Brothers was a serial child predator who relentlessly manipulated children to satisfy his sexual desires.”

Barkey said based on Colorado law, Brothers could have received 192 years to life in prison.

“I felt like our victims went through so much,” he said. “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. Although Mr. Brothers may never qualify for release from prison as a sex offender, the 20-year minimum creates the possibility he might be paroled at an age when he could again exploit his role as a pastor and teacher to rape children, as he did here and has done elsewhere.”

But, he added, the conviction can still be considered somewhat of a victory.

“From another perspective, (Brothers) was sentenced to 20 years to life. So it’s still possible that he spends his life in prison,” Barkey said.

In Colorado, the Department of Corrections (DOC) “may continue to incarcerate Mr. Brothers for the remainder of his natural life unless DOC determines that he has successfully progressed in sex offender treatment, and that he would not pose an undue threat to the community if released,” according to a news release.

One of the stipulations of being paroled would be for Brothers to complete sex offender treatment, Barkey said. “But if he continues in his denial and in being grandiose, he may never get out.”

Barkey said Brothers did ask to speak at the sentencing at which time he continued to deny guilt.

“His disposition is that this is all a fabrication,” Barkey said. “He pretty much said that his trials have deepened his faith in God. Our victims are from a faith-based community. They were appalled by what he said.”

Brothers still faces charges in Henderson and Barkey said the Routt County District Attorney’s Office will help prosecutors and detectives in any way they can should the Kentucky case go to trial.

A youth minister at Hyland Baptist Church from 2008 to 2011, Brothers was arrested here in the fall of 2011 on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. The charges stem from alleged abuse of two members of the youth group.

The former youth minister, moved to Henderson from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which is in Routt County. While living in Colorado, he was employed as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Yampa and taught at Heritage Christian School just west of Steamboat Springs.