RICHMOND (VA)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
September 9, 2025
By Liz Lykins
An 88-year-old Virginia pastor was sentenced Monday to eight years in prison for child sex crimes, after a judge greatly reduced it from 55 years. According to Richmond County Circuit Court records, a plea deal allowed the pastor, who had previously faced 31 charges, to receive the shorter sentence.
Albert “Ben” Wharton, pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Warsaw, Virginia, from 1976-2002, pleaded guilty to eight of the counts against him, court records showed.
Wharton had previously been charged with 23 counts of aggravated sexual battery with a victim under 13 and eight counts of committing indecent acts with a child, according to court records. His crimes occurred at a school operated by Victory Baptist.
A circuit court judge originally handed down a 55-year sentence to Wharton, then suspended his sentence to just eight years behind bars. After his release at the age of 96, Wharton will be placed on probation indefinitely.
Wharton’s defense attorney claimed that Wharton’s health should have enabled the pastor to receive a shorter prison sentence or home arrest, according to WRIC ABC 8News.
But Richmond County Commonwealth Attorney Libby Trible argued that despite Wharton’s age, the pastor needed to be held accountable for his crimes.
“Mr. Wharton used the girls’ ages in order to commit these crimes against them and attempted today to use his own age to avoid responsibility for these crimes,” Trible said. “I am pleased that the judge didn’t accept that argument.”
The judge told Wharton that he had shown no remorse for his actions, WRIC ABC 8News added.
Wharton assaulted girls in his office
Wharton was first arrested in 2023 on 22 felony counts, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release at the time. His arrest was the result of a 15-month investigation.
The sheriff’s office said Wharton assaulted students between 1981 and 1997 while he served as pastor and head of Berachah Christian Academy.
The school, which has since closed, primarily served elementary and junior high-aged students and was operated by Victory Baptist.
Over time, Wharton’s 22 charges grew to 31, court records report.
In June, Wharton took an Alford plea on some of his charges, FOX Carolina News – WHNS reported. An Alford plea means that someone acknowledges the state has gathered enough evidence to convict them, but they do not admit to committing the crime.
The remaining charges were dropped by prosecutors. Trible told the publication News on the Neck that the reduction in charges in the deal was more of a merger. If Wharton had not agreed to the plea deal, he said, five female former students were prepared to testify about crimes committed against them.
Their testimonies were similar in nature, with each alleging that Wharton would press against them and touch their breasts, Trible said. One victim said that Wharton would make her sit on his lap while he touched her private areas.
Another added that Wharton put his hands up her dress to feel her private area. A third victim said that Wharton both touched her and made her touch him inappropriately.
The victims all testified that these incidents routinely occurred when they were called to Wharton’s office, Trible noted.
Victims recall Wharton’s toll on their lives
During yesterday’s sentencing, several victims shared with the court how Wharton had abused his role as pastor to both beat and touch them inappropriately, WRIC ABC 8News reported.
Every victim noted that Wharton’s actions have caused a great mental toll on their lives, and they wish that the pastor would have taken accountability for his actions.
One of the victims, Amy Hall, said she is ultimately content with the sentence.
“I’m a little relieved,” Hall said. “With the eight years—I’m glad that it seems that some justice has been served.”
Wharton’s family and friends said that Wharton’s charges did not match the man they knew.
They described him as a caring, loving man of God, according to WRIC ABC 8News. Wharton’s daughter called her dad a “hero” and a great example for kids.
Outside of Victory Baptist, Wharton has also served seven churches in Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida over the past four decades, according to the Sheriff’s Office.