Worrell sentenced on indecent liberties charge
Published 9:54 pm Thursday, April 9, 2009
Former Holland Fire Chief Gordon Worrell will spend a year in the Western Tidewater Regional Jail for charges stemming from misconduct with juveniles.
Worrell was found guilty in December to taking indecent liberties with a child. The incident in question took place in 1994, when the victim was 16.
“Mr. Worrell’s case demonstrates that one can do a bad act without being a bad person,” his attorney, Andrew Protogyrou, said. “He abused his power in a number of limited relationships. That does not override the good he’s done in the community.”
A judge handed down a four-year sentence in court, with all but one year suspended. Protogyrou asked that Worrell be allowed to serve the sentence in the city jail, instead of a state prison. He also requested a work-release program for Worrell.
Worrell was a member of the volunteer fire department since 1982 before resigning in early 2008. He is accused of making sexual advances toward three men, two of whom were teenagers at the time.
Worrell still has a sentencing set for June 5 on more charges, including abduction, sodomy and attempted sodomy. That set of charges could earn him more than a life sentence.
“He is still being tried and litigated and we’re still working on his case,” Protogyrou said.