Exeter police chaplain accused of molesting minor

A volunteer police chaplain in Exeter is facing 23 felony charges after prosecutors said he committed sex crimes against a minor.

The Visalia Times-Delta reports ( ) that 62-year-old Alton Dorrough was charged with 14 counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a minor under 14, four counts of using force during a sex crime against a minor and other charges.

Tulare County prosecutor Tim Ward says if convicted, Dorrough could get a 52-year prison sentence.

Exeter police Chief Cliff Bush said he was shocked by the unexpected accusations against Dorrough, who was affiliated with the Church of God.

Bush said Dorrough passed a full background check when he joined the department in January 2008.

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Information from: Visalia Times-Delta.