Douglas James Young, a former Boy Scout leader in Oregon, was first arrested in March 2017 for inappropriate contact with a minor. Since then, law enforcement officials interviewed more witnesses and the charges grew.
Young pleaded no contest this month to charges of first-degree sex abuse, second-degree sex abuse, first-degree attempted sex abuse, third-degree attempted sex abuse and attempted use of a child in a sexual display. He has been sentenced to 23 ½ years in prison. He is also ordered to register as a sex offender.
Young had been investigated twice before on allegations of sexual abuse, but no charges were brought.
Young was an active leader with the Boy Scouts of America at the time of his arrest, according to investigators. As a Scoutmaster, Young led local Boy Scout Troop 420, which met at the First Christian Church in Lebanon, Oregon.
Linn County prosecuting attorney Jonathan Crow stated that “Douglas Young was in a position of authority and trust for years as a Boy Scout leader. He used that position to target and groom boys for his sexual gratification. Today, he has been held accountable and will be in prison for at least 20 years.”
Young’s case shows that the Boy Scouts has an ongoing problem with sexual abuse.