Former Youth Pastor Admits to Sex Assault of a Minor

By Danielle E. Gaines Staff
Frederick News-Post
January 29, 2014

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/locations/local/frederick_county/frederick/former-youth-pastor-admits-to-sex-assault-of-a-minor/article_4550aaf6-890a-11e3-9bdd-001a4bcf6878.html

A 33-year-old former youth pastor pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in jail today for sex assault of a minor.

Shaun Michael Ross, of Grantsville, Md., was facing two charges of sexual abuse of a minor following an indictment in July.

Ross worked as youth minister at Calvary Assembly church in Walkersville until he was confronted by the church about an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl.

According to the indictment, Ross had an inappropriate relationship with the teenage girl between April 2008 and April 2010, when he was trusted in a position of authority.

“This was a manipulation that went on and occurred at a time when he was her counselor,” Assistant State's Attorney Lindell K. Angel said. “This is a very serious offense.”

Ross apologized to the victim and his own family during the two-hour sentencing hearing.

Judge G. Edward Dwyer Jr. sentenced him to 18 months in jail, with an additional 23 1/2 year suspended sentence. After his release, Ross will have to serve five years of supervised probation. If he violates the terms of probation, the court could impose the suspended time.

Ross will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.