Pastor Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes against Child

WWAY
December 3, 2012

http://www.wwaytv3.com/2012/12/03/pastor-pleads-guilty-to-sex-crimes-against-child

A Wilmington pastor charged last year with sex crimes against a minor pleaded guilty today.

Thomas Wiggins Jr. pleaded guilty to six counts of felony sex offense as a substitute parent for crimes that happened in 1998.

Prosecutors say Wiggins's victim was a 14-year-old boy, who was a member of Wiggins's church and whose parents were divorced. They say Wiggins became a father-figure to the victim, but over the course of the next two years began to sexually violate him.

Today, wiggins said he did commit the crimes. His lawyer said there is not a day that goes by Wiggins does not ask for forgiveness.

The judge sentenced Wiggins to six to nine years in prison. He also must register as a sex offender for the next 30 years.

The prosecution says the victim is glad he will not have to testify in court and that he is satisfied with the outcome.