Ex-Priest Sentenced for Child Sex Abuse

A defrocked Roman Catholic priest who scandalized his Cajun parishioners when he confessed to sexual abuse of more than three dozen children pleaded guilty to reduced charges Monday and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Gilbert Gauthe Jr., 40, formerly pastor of St. John’s Church in Henry, at first had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He pleaded guilty to 11 counts each of child pornography, crime against nature and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Dist. Atty. Nathan Stansbury said that he was willing to drop charges of aggravated rape, punishable by life in prison, to spare the children having to take the witness stand.