Louis Patrick

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Louis Patrick, former leader of the Salvation Army in Bellaire, was sentenced Thursday to 60 days in the Belmont County Jail.

Belmont County Eastern Division Court Judge David Trouten suspended 10 of the 60 days, leaving Patrick to serve 50 days in jail. In addition to the 50 days, he will also have to be registered as a Tier I sex offender for the next 15 years and to be on probation for five years. Patrick was then ordered by Trouten to have zero contact with the victim or the victim’s family.

Patrick recently pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual imposition. He was originally charged in April with one count of sexual battery after the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint from a female volunteer at the Salvation Army center in Bellaire on April 7. He was charged directly through the Belmont County courts, and the Bellaire Police Department did not arrest him.

Trouten said that the reason he didn’t hand Patrick the maximum sentence is so that he would be on probation for five years to make sure there was something to hold over him to ensure that he won’t have any contact with the victim or her family.

Before his sentencing, Patrick addressed the court.

“I’m deeply remorseful for what has happened. I know that I’ve provided a lot of service within the community, but I just thank God that he is my eternal judge and that I am going to be with him some day,” Patrick said.

Trouten replied that although he understands the services Patrick has provided for the community, he has caused a terrible effect on his victim and her family.

“Understand that I am not discounting all of the years of service you’ve provided, but you’ve had a terrible effect on not just one person, but an entire family. The only reason I’m not giving you the maximum sentence is because I want something held over your head to keep you from having contact with her again,” Trouten said.

Following Trouten’s ruling, he asked Patrick’s attorney, Jacob Leach of Shaheen Law Group, if there was any reason why Patrick should not be immediately taken into custody to begin serving his 50-day sentence.

“Yes, your honor, my client’s wife’s undergoing a heart catheterization today. So I’m not asking you for a large amount of time, but I’d ask for just a few days for him to be able to care for her,” Leach said.

Trouten responded that amounted to poor planning by Patrick before denying Leach’s request.

Patrick was then taken into custody to be processed into the Belmont County Jail to begin to serve his 50-day sentence.