TENNESSEE
WMC
[with video]
By Nick Kenney
MEMPHIS, TN –
(WMC-TV) – A COGIC pastor was sentenced to six years in prison on sexual battery charges on Thursday.
Michael Bryant, the former pastor of Hour of Restoration COGIC, admitted to inappropriately touching and exposing himself to a 16-year-old over the past two years.
“It was a lustful situation that basically overwhelmed me,” Bryant testified during Wednesday’s hearing. “Never happened to me before.”
Bryant pleaded guilty to the charges. He asked Criminal Court Judge Mark Ward to spare him prison time.
“I was embarrassed. I felt bad. I really didn’t feel right preaching every Sunday knowing what I was doing,” said Bryant. “I want probation so I can go out and get help and be able to work at the same time. I want to live. I want to live.”
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