Former Mountain Priest Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Charges, Survivor Forgives

By Rex Hodge
WLOS TV
October 21, 2019

https://bit.ly/2MZirmV

A former mountain priest is sentenced to a dozen years in prison. 78-year-old Howard White pleaded guilty to multiple child sex abuse charges during his tenure at Waynesville’s Grace Church in the Mountains. White was rector at the church from 1984 until 2006.

“He pleaded guilty to all 15 counts that we had indicted him on for offenses,” says District Attorney Ashley Welch. “All in the 1980's except for onein 2004...3 men and one woman,” says Welch.

Four of his victims were in court Monday to hear White's guilty plea to second degree forcible rape, second degree child sexual abuse, and indecent liberties with a child.

Margaret Yarbrough defines herself as a survivor.

“I forgave the defendant long ago,” she says, “because I had to do so in order to...it would have cost me my life had I not done it.”

“I would encourage any victim to tell someone whether you report it or not, tell someone, so that you can move forward,” she says. “I came forward because I expect my children to do the right thing and I cannot expect them to do the right thing if I do not do the right thing.”

Two years ago, White pleaded guilty to child sex charges in Massachusetts., serving a year in prison before being returned to Haywood County to face the local charges.

“The difference here is that we pursued felonies. He pled guilty to about 4 misdemeanors I believe in Massachusetts. Very similar conduct,” says Welch.

Authorities are aware of other accusations against White in other states, but their statutes of limitations have run out.

“We don't have a statute of limitations in North Carolina and so we decided to proceed,” Welch says. “If there were more victims that came forward where the conduct occurred in this district, we would certainly investigate it. This plea did not hinder our ability to do that.”

White could be eligible for parole in about 6 years, but Welch says that's not a given...and if paroled, White must register as a sex offender.

For Yarbrough, White's guilty plea is a chance to move forward, and encourage other survivors to tell someone.

“I don't hate him. I don't feel anything really but pity and empathy,” says Yarbrough.