Ex-soldier gets nearly 18 years for abusing child
Published 12:15 pm Saturday, July 19, 2014
LAKE CHARLES — Federal prosecutors say a former Fort Polk soldier has been sentenced to almost 18 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 9.
U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley, in a news release, says 39-year-old Emil Rath, of Mena, Arkansas, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact with a minor.
The Town Talk reports Rath also must register as a sex offender.
According to the release, Rath admitted having sexual contact with the child at Fort Polk in November 2003 while they watched an animated movie.
In determining the sentence, the court also considered prior convictions and conduct involving abuse of other minors by Rath. Finley did not provide details of those prior crimes.
