Tennessee pastor gets 38 years for child sex abuse

Tennessee pastor gets 38 years in child sex abuse sentence

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee pastor faces 38 years in prison after being found guilty on 24 counts involving child sex abuse. News outlets report that 41-year-old Ronnie Gorton received the sentence Friday in Tipton County. He was convicted on charges including sexual battery and statutory rape in August.

Judge Joe Walker said at the sentencing that Gorton used his position of authority as he “groomed minors for his sexual perversion.”
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The teen victim told jurors the abuse started the day he moved in with Gorton and his wife in 2017. He said Gorton justified his actions by citing a Bible verse that said “holding each other is just a way to show love.” I could not find this verse reference but all kinds of crazy stuff can be justified by using Bible verses.

Only 38 years? I am presuming this must have been a plea deal. The man should have gotten multiple life sentences.

This I thought was the best part of the article:

Gorton took the stand in August and denied molesting the victim during two hours of testimony, though he admitted providing alcohol to the youth and other teens.

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Another damn witch hunt targeting this great pastor. When oh when will they stop picking on these great men....