Youth Pastor Faces Child Sex Charges, My Fox Tampa Bay, October 5, 2007

Youth Pastor Faces Child Sex Charges

My Fox Tampa Bay
October 5, 2007

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TAMPA - Standing before a judge on charges of capital sexual battery, 31-year-old Justin Peterson was visibly shaken. The youth pastor faces an accusation from his past — that he molested his 7-year-old cousin, whom he was babysitting 12 years ago.

Police say the victim, who lives out of state, recently contacted authorities about the allegations, and they began an investigation in September.

"Eventually we got the victim to do a controlled telephone call, it's a law enforcement technique, you don't need a warrant," said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesperson J.D. Calloway. "The victim contacts the suspect in this case, they're having a conversation we're listening and recording."

31-year-old Justin Peterson faces charges of sexual battery on a child.

Police say what they heard was Peterson admitting to the victim what he did to her, and blaming it on a pornography addiction. But by all outward appearances, Peterson's life has been dedicated to his Christian faith, something his attorney brought up in court in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the judge to set bond.

"He has completely changed his life, he has made every effort to become a man of God," said defense lawyer Joe Bediford.

The pastor's Myspace page says he received an associates degree in theology in 1995, the same year of the sexual battery allegations. He also lists his personal hero as Jesus.

Peterson is employed at the River Life Church in Lutz, where their website says he serves with his wife as a "Young Adult Pastor". But the church's attorney says Peterson has recently worked in IT, after apparently switching from youth ministry.

Peterson's attorney told FOX 13 News he's resigned from his position as a pastor at River Life Church in order to spare his employer any connection to the case. Peterson faces life in prison and a minimum mandatory sentence of twenty-five years.