Former YMCA camp counselor gets 3 1/2 years for assaulting teen girl

Jonathan Bach
Statesman Journal
Rohan Cordy of Monmouth was sentenced Friday for sexually abusing a teen while employed at a Marion County YMCA summer camp.

A Monmouth man was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl when he worked as a YMCA camp counselor at Silver Falls State Park.

Rohan Cordy was sentenced Friday morning in Marion County Circuit Court after he pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree sexual abuse.

Marion County detectives arrested Cordy in February 2017 on charges that he sexually assaulted an underage summer camp counselor while he was also a counselor from June to August of 2016.

Cordy told the court he takes responsibility for his actions. He said his faith in God has grown since the incident.

"You can condemn the act, but never the person," Cordy said. "I am not a monster. I am a human being."

Marion County Judge Courtland Geyer told Cordy he made a mistake whose effects were extremely serious — and the price he is paying is extremely serious.

Deputy District Attorney Rachel Klein read a statement from the victim's mother, who said, "Our family is broken."

She said Cordy had treated her daughter as a "sex toy."

"I have no place in my heart to forgive you," the mother said in the statement.

The mother said her daughter had been in camp since she was young and had been excited to become a counselor. She had graduated high school early.

"You derailed all of her life plans," the mother said. Her daughter eventually attempted to commit suicide, the mother said, though she has gone to counseling and is making "great strides."

In October, Cordy struck a plea bargain with the Marion County District Attorney's Office, which agreed to dismiss three charges against him: using a child in a display of sexual content, second-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sexual abuse.

Under the bargain, Cordy will have two years of post-prison supervision. He is eligible for early release based on his behavior in prison, but will have to register as a sex offender.

Samuel Carroll, CEO of the YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties, said at the time that Cordy worked as a seasonal employee and had passed a criminal background check.

Cordy previously worked as a second-grade teacher at Holley Elementary School in Sweet Home.

Cordy's attorney, Lissa Casey, took exception Friday to previous media coverage emphasizing his profession as a teacher, stressing that at no time was the victim a student of his.

In addition, "he intends to try to keep helping when he goes to prison" by tutoring other inmates, Casey said.

Cordy said, "I hope that I can be a resource for others."

After prison, he said, "I plan to be an integral part of the community."

Reach Statesman Journal reporter Jonathan Bach by phone at 503-399-6714 or by email at jbach@statesmanjournal.com.