A former youth ministries director at a Rockville church has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl during a youth event at the church.
Brian Patrick Werth, who had worked at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church on Montrose Road, was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday.
Montgomery County Police said Werth, 32, had inappropriate sexual contact with a teenage parishioner on or about May 20, 2016.
Police also said Werth had been texting the girl since summer 2014, and had sent her graphic sexual messages.
Werth admitted to sexually abusing the girl, according to prosecutors.
"A camp counselor or a teacher or a youth minister should know these things and not take advantage of those awkward feelings that teens often feel," said Ramon Korionoff, spokesman for Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office.
Werth was arrested in 2016 and charged with one count of fourth-degree sexual offense, one count of sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree assault.
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Werth was suspended from his duties at the parish and school when the allegations surfaced and was later fired, the Archdiocese of Washington said in 2016.
"The Archdiocese of Washington takes seriously its responsibility to the children entrusted to its care," the statement continued. "The Child Protection Policy of the Archdiocese of Washington mandates criminal background checks, applications and education for all employees and volunteers who work with young people."
Werth had cleared a background check and other requirements, the statement said.
