INDIANA
Pantagraph

By Edith Brady-Lunny eblunny@pantagraph.com

BLOOMINGTON — A former Twin City minister has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea to predatory criminal sexual assault charges.

Rodney D. Applington, 42, a former associate pastor at East White Oak Bible Church in rural Carlock, was charged in January with having illegal physical contact with a minor girl.

A second charge of predatory criminal sexual assault was dismissed in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Ghrist said after Friday’s hearing that “this case reminds us that child sex abuse is real and present in Bloomington-Normal. Acceptance of this as a community will lead to education and help protect our children.”

Applington faced six to 30 years on the Class X felony charges without the plea deal. He must serve 85 percent of the 12 years in prison.