As a religious leader in this community concerned with issues that affect children, I openly rebuke Justice Ellen Gorman or, should I say, “Injustice Ellen Gorman,” for her poor judgment concerning the sentencing of Jeremy McCown.

This man was accused of fondling a 13-year-old girl while molesting her mind with sexual vocabulary. He was originally charged with kidnapping, a charge that could have sent him to prison for more than 40 years. But after negotiations, his charges were reduced to criminal restraint and two counts of assault that carried a 364-day jail sentence for each of the three charges. Judge Gorman then suspended all

but six months of that time.

How absurd.

As part of his so-called punishment, he will serve three years of probation and will be barred from being on the property of any elementary, middle or high school. This leaves me with serious questions.

Does this mean he is allowed to be around children off of school property, such as public swimming pools, parks and playgrounds?

He fondled a girl, why was he not charged with sexual assault of a minor?

Because he was not charged with sexual assault, should I assume that he is not labeled as a sexual predator, sex offender or child molester loose in our community?

Rev. Douglas Taylor, Lewiston