SOUTH DAKOTA
Capital Journal
By Stephen Lee stephen.lee@capjournal.com
The senior pastor of Morningside Community Church in Brookings says he and the congregation are trying to minister to “everyone involved,” in the sex crime of a former pastor sentenced this week to prison. The congregation changed its name late last year to Abundant Life.
Tim Bariteau, Morningside’s worship pastor until last summer, is headed to prison after being sentenced this week to eight years for having sexual contact with a child.
Bariteau, 38, was sentenced to 12 years in prison with four years suspended, according to news reports. Because it was ruled a crime of violence, he must serve at least half the time before he’s eligible for parole, Brookings Radio reported. He faced a maximum sentence of 15 years.
He will be credited with 305 days he’s served since his arrest and he must register as a sex offender and pay restitution to the victim.
Bariteau was indicted last November and arrested in California, where he had been living. He was convicted in June after a Brookings County jury deliberated for about five hours, according to The Associated Press.
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