Convicted Pastor Otis Holland Sentenced to Life in Prison with Possibility of Parole

By Jami Seymore
KSNV
September 8, 2016

http://news3lv.com/news/local/convicted-pastor-otis-holland-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-with-possibility-of-parole

Otis Holland, the former pastor convicted of raping young girls in his congregation, was sentenced in a Las Vegas courtroom this afternoon.

Just before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Judge Stefany Miley sentenced Holland to life in prison with the possibility of parole on multiple charges of sexual assault and lewdness with minors.

Holland was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 25 years for 14 counts of sexual assault with a minor under 16 years of age. Counts 1-10 will run concurrently with each other, count 11 will run consecutively with counts 1-10, and counts 12-14 will run concurrently with the previous counts. He was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 10 years served for one count of lewdness with a child under the age of 14, which will run consecutively with the previous counts.

Sentences for both charges -- sexual assault and lewdness -- were combined for a total of life with eligibility for parole after a minimum of 60 years served.

“Which is a total consecutive sentence of life with eligibility for parole beginning when a minimum of 60 years have been served. There is a credit for time served in this case of 1,679 days," said Judge Miley.

According to the Clark County Detention Center, Holland is currently 60-years-old. Since he will not be released until at least 60 years, while also factoring in his current age, it is likely Holland will spend the rest of his life in prison.

However, Judge Miley did say that if he is released on parole following the minimum sentence, he will be required to have lifetime supervision and to register as a sex offender.

Before Judge Miley handed down the sentence, two of Holland's victims and a parent of a victim gave statements to the courtroom.

"They say everything comes with a price," said one victim. "I hope you remember the things you do, I hope you remember this letter and feel my pain."

"All of this was just the beginning of the rest of my life, having to live with this on my back," the victim continued. "It's time for you to think and it's time for me to live."

Another victim described the things that were taken from her because of Holland's actions.

"He took things from me that I can't get back. He robbed me of my innocence and my free will," the victim said. "A lot of my life was destroyed but not all of it, because I'm here now."

A parent of a victim also gave her personal experience with the case.

"Manipulation in the sense of what our family has been through. We have been through hell. Our family has suffered greatly," said the parent. "He has left our family in shambles to the point that there is fear."

Holland was also combative with the judge when she asked for a character statement from him as she considered his sentence.

He repeatedly said that he had not been given a trial or the opportunity to present his case.

"All I’m asking for is a just and noble opportunity to present my witnesses, which I was not allowed to present zero, to present evidence, which is none.”- Otis Holland

"The point of this is for you to tell me what I need to consider about you before I sentence you.” – Judge Stefany Miley

"My lord, Judge Miley, people are about to stand up and say the most horrible things and I have not had an opportunity to present evidence, witnesses, or facts, to defend my case…” – Holland

"Ok ... but I need to hear about, I need to know today for purposes of sentencing you,” – Judge Miley

"What I just stated, I have not had a trial.” – Holland

"Sir, you did have a trial.” – Judge Miley

"I was not allowed to present…” – Holland

"Sir, you had a trial, and I understand you may disagree with the outcome of the trial, but you did have a trial." - Judge Miley

Holland, a former pastor, was arrested in 2010 on multiple charges of raping children in his congregation.

A jury found Holland guilty of all charges on January 21, just over five years after his initial arrest in December of 2010.

Despite today's sentencing, a new but similar case is currently building against him in Henderson.

During his trial earlier this year, five new victims came forward, bringing 22 new charges over the span of four years, taking place from 2005-2009. The alleged crimes include the sexual assault of a child under 14, the sexual assault of a child under 16, the sexual assault of an adult, the use of a child to produce pornography, and lewdness involving a child.

Holland is expected to appear in Henderson Justice Court for a preliminary hearing in that case later this month on September 28.