Ex W. Homestead Police Chief,  someting or other.  well just read the damn article yourself. Just outside of Pittsburgh

The former West Homestead police chief who was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl in his police cruiser was sentenced to 12 years in prison this morning in federal court.

David Ausburn, 35, pleaded guilty today of one count of coercion and enticement. The sentence recommended under advisory guidelines called for a prison term of 57 to 71 months, but U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab doubled that.

The increased sentence was called for, the judge said, because of the serious nature of the crime and because Mr. Ausburn took advantage of his position as an authority figure.

Mr. Ausburn initially formed a relationship with the girl and her family, offering to help them through troubled times. The girl's father, whose name will be withheld to protect the identity of the victim, said his family had put great faith and trust in Mr. Ausburn to help their daughter, now 17.

Instead, Mr. Ausburn took advantage of that trust, having a sexual relationship with the girl in January and February 2003. His actions came to light after copies of emails were found in his old detective's desk at the police station. The emails, found in January 2005 detailed a sexual relationship, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tina Miller.

Federal investigators served a search warrant on Mr. Ausburn on Feb. 3, 2005. He spoke with the agents that day and provided them with copies of e-mails with the victim. He asked them to give him the night to think about what else he'd like to say. At 1:30 a.m. the next day, police learned that Mr. Ausburn had attempted suicide. He left several notes, including to the agents investigating the case, admitting his guilt, Ms. Miller said. Mr. Ausburn also admitted to having a sexual relationship with another minor.

The father told Judge Schwab that Mr. Ausburn destroyed his daughter's "image, self-confidence and trust.

"We trusted this animal with our daughter. We thought we were doing this to help our child," the father said. "This was an intentional act. He used his authority to take advantage of a young girl."

But Mr. Ausburn, in an emotional statement to the court, said he befriended the girl's family with nothing but good intentions in the beginning.

"As God as my witness, there was never an intent at the onset. I truly did care for their daughter," he said.

Mr. Ausburn apologized to the victim and her family, as well as to his wife and 5-year-old son, and the community of West Homestead.

"I've tried to find a reason for my actions, and I only come up with excuses," Mr. Ausburn said. "I deserve this 100-fold for what I've done to them."

Mr. Ausburn plans to appeal the sentence.