"Former NH jail chaplain sent to prison
DOVER, N.H. --A former Strafford County jail chaplain is headed to prison for at least two years, after being convicted of sexually assaulting a female inmate. Ralph Flodin, 71, was sentenced Friday to 2-to-10 years in prison on two sexual assault convictions. He also got a suspended 12-month county jail sentence for two misdemeanor sexual assault convictions. Flodin was convicted of assaulting an inmate he was counseling at the Strafford County jail. Judge Kenneth Brown handed down the sentences after almost an hour of statements from Flodin's family and friends, who testified about a man of good character who has dedicated his life to helping others. Brown told Flodin's family and friends that he considered Flodin's past history of community service, but ultimately couldn't get past one fact: Flodin's guilt.
"They (Flodin's family and friends) didn't sit here and listen to your testimony or the recorded interview you did with the deputies. I did," Brown said. "You freely confessed to the acts you were accused of. I truly believe you're guilty of the acts you were convicted of." In the recorded statement, Flodin admitted touching the inmate on multiple occasions and said the two also kissed. Later, he said he touched the woman once during a counseling session, and that she was the aggressor. At trial, Flodin said investigators coerced him into confessing. In addition to the prison time, Flodin also has to take part in a sexual offender program (AP September 6, 2008)."
