Man gets 6 years for Longview child molestation case

LONGVIEW — A Washington man has been sentenced to six years in prison after he was convicted of molesting two young children, a judge said.

Verl Leroy Lee, 73, was charged with child molestation in June 2019 after prosecutors say the girls told authorities that he inappropriately touched them multiple times, the Daily News reported.

Lee told deputies that he patted them on their backsides, but said nothing sexual ever occurred.

Lee was first tried in November 2019, but jurors were unable to come to a decision. A new jury convicted him in January 2020 after a second trial.

Lee has maintained his innocence and plans to appeal his trial, his attorney said.

“I cannot prove that I did not abuse these girls, because that is impossible. So the only thing I have left is to ask for the mercy of this court,” Lee said before sentencing Tuesday.

Lee must also register as a sex offender and stay 100 yards (91 meters) away from the children.

The childrens’ court-appointed guardians have also sued Lee in civil court asking for compensation for counseling, health care expenses and damages for emotional distress, according to court records.