An Ohio pastor who publicly campaigned against LGBTQ-themed books and Pride flags has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual contact with a minor. Sials Shelton received the maximum sentence for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl who attended his Blanchester Community Church. Judge Andrew McCoy said Shelton showed no remorse throughout the case.
Judge Andrew McCoy said, “When you take absolutely no accountability for your actions, you demonstrate no remorse. You choose rather to blame the victim and claim that you, incredulously, claim that you were the victim of abuse at her home, a 14-year-old child.”
Shelton was originally charged with 12 counts, including rape, sexual battery, and gross sexual imposition. He ultimately pleaded guilty to three third-degree felony counts of unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
After his release, he must register as a Tier II sex offender every six months for 25 years. Prosecutors said Shelton exploited the trust placed in him as the family’s pastor. The victim told the court no sentence could restore what had been taken from her.
