JAY, Okla. — A former Southern Baptist pastor in Oklahoma has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after confessing to sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl who attended his church.
Josh Spires, 28, confessed to an “inappropriate, unlawful sexual relationship” with a 15-year-old girl who was formerly a member of his youth group.
Delaware County Judge Alicia Littlefield sentenced Spires to a 20-year prison sentence with 10 years suspended on each count to be served concurrently, meaning he would be eligible for parole in eight and a half years. If convicted by a jury, he could have been sentenced to up to 200 years in prison — the full 20 years for each count.
Spires was also fined $10,000 for victim’s compensation under a 2005 law providing financial assistance to victims who suffer physical or psychological injury as a result of a criminal act. Media reports said the victim’s family was consulted about the plea agreement.
Court documents say Spires sexually assaulted the girl, once a member of his youth group, every Sunday for a year at the church. The acts took place about an hour before services began, either on his desk or a couch in the church office.
Both Spires, who was married, and the girl said their relationship was consensual, but Oklahoma law states that a 15-year-old cannot consent to a sexual relationship. (TAB)
Share with others: