WASHINGTON (DC)
WUSA

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) — A deacon has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor who attended his church.

Maurice Blanchard was arrested this year for raping a 15-year-old in 2003 when he was a deacon at the Grace Apostolic Church.

Blanchard pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor in MD Circuit Court in Prince George County last Tuesday. He could be sentenced to between four and nine years in jail when he returns to court on November 14.

Officials say Blanchard’s wife Kina was “coercing the victim to stay silent about her husband’s rapes.” Other victims came forward after the now-26-year-old victim filed charges.