Pastor Accused of Inappropriately Touching Teen Takes Deal

Press & Dakotan
June 23, 2015

http://www.yankton.net/news/state_ap_ne/article_379fe0f7-541b-580b-a76b-8f1ec904391e.html

A 62-year-old pastor accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl in an Omaha suburb has been convicted of a lesser charge.

Online court records show Clifton Wells, of Papillion (puh-PIHL'-yuhn), pleaded no contest and was convicted of a misdemeanor on Monday in Sarpy County District Court. Prosecutors lowered the charge from felony sexual assault of a child in exchange for Wells' plea.

Prosecutors say Wells inappropriately touched the girl several times in July when he gave the girl a ride to pick up a job application. Wells told investigators he'd been counseling the girl about her misbehavior at school, and he denied that any sexual assault occurred.

Wells is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14.