Former fugitive doctor sentenced to 44 years for sex abuse of young girl

Washington County, Ore — A former doctor who fled the country in 2004 to China to avoid prosecution for drug charges will spend the next 44 years in jail for sex abuse of a young girl.

Court documents say Steven Moos raped, sodomized and sexually abused a family member starting when she was just 5 years old, and the abuse continued into her teens.

Moos was convicted of three counts of first degree rape, six counts of first degree sodomy and one count of first degree unlawful sexual penetration earlier this month.

Moos fled the country trying to avoid prosecution from drug charges, all the while court documents say the sexual abuse continued overseas.

“Although, I agree with the jury, I would have voted me guilty if I would have seen that too, I just didn't I just wants happy with my case,” Moos told the court Tuesday.

The state asked the judge for at least 35 years in jail.

“In this case, she was abused for the majority of her life starting at age 5 to age 17, which is her entire childhood,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Kevin Barton said. “In terms of what is the right sentence, it just seemed right if her childhood was taken, then giving her the rest of her life away from him seemed like the right thing to do."

While in custody awaiting trial, Barton said Moos made it clear he is not remorseful.

“In the phone conversation with his mother, he was talking about the charges and made a comment that he would have been better off if he would have killed the victim,” Barton said.

Before the judge imposed the sentence, Moos took a moment to address the court, asking for mercy.

“I would like to agree with the argument for mercy. It would give me something to hope for, something to live for,” Moos said.

He even acknowledged the pain the victim showed while testifying against Moos.

“Seeing [her] in that condition was such a shock to me. My medical training tells me she was in crisis, she went to the hospital after trial,” Moos said.

He was also convicted for witness tampering after officials say he contacted his family and asked the victim to recant.

Moos was sentenced to 44 years behind bars.