Another PA pastor faces sex crimes charges

A Pennsylvania pastor is facing a variety of allegations related to inappropriate sexual conduct with an 11-year-old church member in Washington County. The Pennsylvania man is facing a variety of sex crimes allegations in connection with the matter, including stalking, corruption of minors, indecent assault and unlawful restraint, among others. The charges stem from an incident that happened over the summer in which a neighbor alleges that he saw the pastor carrying the girl into the church. The same neighbor reported seeing the man carrying the girl out of the church about 15 minutes later, heading toward his home. That incident was caught on video surveillance tape. The girl said that the pastor took her to the church office that day and told her he wanted to have sexual intercourse. Additional evidence shows the man and the girl entering a nearby storage shed on two other occasions in early summer, according to reports. Furthermore, the alleged victim in the case said the man would lay on top of her when they were in the shed. She also says he tried to touch her in inappropriate ways. This is not the man’s first run-in with the law for child sexual abuse; he was also convicted of the same crime in the 1980s in another state. His bail has been set at $250,000 and he is currently trying to raise the appropriate amount to avoid being held until trial. The man was heard telling news reporters that the charges were outrageous and unfounded. Even if a criminal defendant has been convicted of sex crimes in the past, he is not necessarily guilty of committing these offenses. All defendants deserve a fair trial, regardless of their previous criminal record. Criminal defense attorneys can help such defendants learn more about their legal rights, ensuring that they receive a fair administration of justice throughout their courtroom proceedings.