Jury Finds Local Youth Mentor Accused of Molestation Guilty of 11 Counts of Child Sex Abuse

By Hector Mejia
Fox 23
November 10, 2016

http://www.fox23.com/news/jury-deliberates-in-trial-of-local-youth-mentor-accused-of-molestation/466054625

A jury has reached a verdict in the trial of a man accused of sexual abuse while working as a youth mentor through a local church.

They found Timothy Cato guilty of 11 counts of child sex abuse. They found him not guilty in one count of child sex abuse and one count of possession of child pornography.

The jury recommended 215 years in prison.

During closing arguments, Cato’s defense said the state demonized him by painting him as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” They said that he should be punished for only one count, but given the chance for redemption.

They argued that he showered the five boys because it was his habit as a caretaker, not for sexual gratification.

However, prosecutors said Cato built his reputation as a caretaker and church youth mentor to prey on children, who were either from a shelter or didn’t have a father figure. They claimed Cato groomed the five boys to believe it was okay for him to watch them shower and later cuddle with them during sleepovers.

Cato faced 12 charges of child sexual abuse. Seven of those are for alleged touching, and five for looking at the boys naked in a lewd and lascivious manner. He was found not guilty of possession of child pornography.

Timothy Cato’s defense asked the jury to only find him guilty of one count of child sexual abuse. Cato allegedly admitted to Tulsa police he performed oral sex on a 15-year-old boy. Prosecutors say that boy was asleep and woke up to his worst nightmare as Cato allegedly assaulted him.