Ex-minister pleads guilty to molestation
A former minister of Berean Baptist Church pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges he molested young girls who attended the church 30 year ago, authorities said.
Posted — Updated
Anthony Phillips Denton, 56, who now lives in Jacksonville, Fla., pleaded guilty to 13 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. The charges stem from incidents involving three girls between 1977 and 1981, when Denton was music minister at Berean Baptist Church.
Denton also entered an Alford plea to three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. An Alford plea allows a defendant to avoid admitting guilt while acknowledging there is enough evidence to convict him.
As part of a plea agreement, he received three three-year prison sentences, which were suspended to probation. He also must register as a sex offender.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
