PORT ANGELES — A former Sequim pastor was found guilty of six counts of child rape, six counts of child molestation and six counts of incest Wednesday.
Steven G. Welty, 59, will be sentenced next month in Clallam County Superior Court.
“I’m very pleased,” said Ann Lundwall, Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
“I was particularly pleased with the judge’s comment on the credibility of the victim in this case and how she handled herself. She is a very strong and courageous woman.”
Judge S. Brooke Taylor decided the verdict after a three-day trial. Welty waived his right to a jury trial.
Welty is accused of sexual intercourse with a relative who was between the ages of 4 and 10 at the time of the alleged incidents.
He told investigators that he was the former pastor of the Glory House Church in Sequim, which closed about two years ago, and moved to the area about 14 years ago from Grays Harbor County.
He founded the Sequim Community Help Center in 2001.
Lundwall said the court will issue its sentence after the Department of Corrections conducts a pre-sentencing investigation.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
