Jack Schaap -- the former pastor of First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana -- pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday in a case stemming from his sexual involvement with a 16-year-old girl, the Christian Post website reports today (September 27, 2012).
The former pastor of the 15,000-member church -- which he served for 11 years -- stood accused of having sexual relations with a girl, a parish member who is now 17, and taking her across state lines in Illinois and Michigan for the sexual encounters.
U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano scheduled the sentencing for January 15, although Schaap, 54, has already signed a plea agreement stating that he faces at least 10 years in prison. He could receive the maximum sentence of life in prison, but that is unlikely, since Schaap's guilty plea -- instead of a non-guilty plea -- plays an important role in reducing the amount of prison time he will be sentenced.
The married father of two was removed from his position at First Baptist Church last month, after a deacon found a text message on his cell phone that showed Schaap and the girl kissing.
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