BURLINGTON, Ky. (WXIX) – A Northern Kentucky man was sentenced to more than a decade in prison Tuesday after prosecutors say he sexually abused a teenager for years.
Michael Howard, 37, of Burlington, was convicted of 28 counts of sexual abuse and one count of sodomy after Boone County deputies received reports that he abused a juvenile several times over five years.
Records state that the abuse began after Timmy Goodman, then 14, started working for Howard at a furniture store in 2019.
“This should have never happened. I would have never dreamed this would happen before it did,” Goodman said. “He sunk his teeth and claws into me, but know someone where he is going is going to look forward to sink their claws into his depressing and decrepit body.”
Howard was also a worker at Florence Baptist Temple Church in Burlington. He knew the Goodman family well and the two families went on vacation.
“We discovered that our son had been groomed and sexually abused by someone we considered one of our closest friends,” Julie, Timmy’s mother, said. “The trauma was so severe that we had to move Timmy’s bed into the living room. We are now remodeling the basement, hoping that removing reminders of the past will help.”
After additional interviews, investigators found that Howard admitted to a three-to four-year relationship.
Howard’s attorney, Brandon Moermond, said that his client was remorseful. However, when allowed to address the court, Howard did not apologize, stating, “This is horrible. I got caught up in something I never should have.”
Goodman said Howard had many talents and accomplishments, especially in playing the piano, but he will only be remembered as a sexual predator.
Howard was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender upon release.
