Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, November 16, 2017
(BEDFORD) - Former youth pastor at Mitchell Church of Christ Gary Spear was sentenced Wednesday in Lawrence County Superior Court.
On October 4th Spear pleaded guilty to the crime after a negotiated plea agreement.
Judge Michael Robbins followed the plea agreement and sentenced Spear to 1.5 years of house arrest and 1.5 years to supervised probation on one count of child seduction, a Class D felony.
The victim, 22-year-old Jocelyn Schlegel, was 14-years-old when Spears began making sexual advances towards her. Schlegel testified during the sentencing.
Schlegel said the abuse started after she went to Spear for counseling because her parents were getting divorced. She says Spear used what she told him to manipulate and control her between 2011 and 2013. She reported the incident to police in May of 2016.
Schlegel says Spear would lay on top of her and he would have her sit on his lap while he kissed her. She also claims Spear fondled and touched her inappropriately during these incidents that happened several times a week in the church, at his home and in his truck.
Spear declined to speak in court.
Spear was formerly the community engagement facilitator for the Mitchell Community Public Library and the host for Hoosier Hometown Live, a popular variety radio show.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.