WISCONSIN RAPIDS (WI)
WSAW [Wausau, WI]
June 3, 2025
By Heather Poltrock
A former Wisconsin Rapids youth pastor will spend 10 years in prison and 5 years on extended supervision for sexually assaulting a child while working as a youth pastor in 2003.
James Lane, 53, pleaded guilty to the charge in April and was convicted as a result. Attorney General Josh Kaul and Wood County District Attorney Jonathan Barnett said the case was reported through the Wisconsin Department of Justice Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative.
“As this conviction shows, the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative is continuing to have an impact,” Kaul previously said. “Thank you to the courageous survivor whose decision to make a report has led to accountability for the defendant.”
Lane was a youth pastor at Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids and had been living in Colorado. Lane admitted to assaulting the victim in his vehicle when he was driving the victim home.
The victim in this case had not reported the assault to either church or legal authorities before reporting through the website for the Wisconsin DOJ Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative.
Lane must register as a sex offender. He will receive credit for 75 days already spent in custody.