By Trace Christenson
The Enquirer
August 31, 2007
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070831/NEWS01/708310315
A Battle Creek youth pastor charged with using the Internet to solicit sex from a child has waived the case to Calhoun County Circuit Court for trial.
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| If convicted of all 11 counts against him, Troy Deal faces up to 20 years in prison. Photo by Trace Christenson |
Troy Deal, 34, agreed Thursday to the waiver of his preliminary examination in district court.
Deal, on paid leave as director of youth ministries at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, is charged with 11 counts, including:
• Using a computer to communicate with another to solicit child sexually abusive activity
• Using a computer to communicate with another to solicit child sexually abusive material
• Using computers to communicate with another to accost a child for immoral purposes.
He was arrested July 18.
The Michigan attorney general's office alleges the crimes occurred between November 2005 and April 2007. Deal allegedly was communicating with an investigator from the attorney general's office, though the charges allege he thought the person was a 14-year-old girl.
If convicted, Deal faces up to 20 years in prison.
During a brief hearing before District Judge Frank Line, Deal's attorney, R. Scott Coleman, said negotiations on a possible plea are ongoing but Deal has not yet been offered anything.
Coleman also asked that Deal be allowed to spend time unsupervised with his two children, ages 3 years and six months, which Line approved.
But the judge told Coleman that Deal would not be allowed to begin a college class on computer repair and technology until the judge learned more about the class.
Kelly Carter, an attorney with the attorney general's office, said her office objected to Deal having any access to a computer.
He remains free on $50,000 bond.
Trace Christenson can be reached at 966-0685 or tchrist@battlecr.gannett.com.
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