State Journal
December 1, 2008
http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=47722
Man had pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three relatives and a stepdaughter
WINFIELD — A former Putnam County Pastor has been sentenced to no less than 15 years behind bars after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault.
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Paul Smeltzer had pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three relatives and a stepdaughter.
He had been facing several other sexual abuse charges before working out the plea agreement with prosecutors.
"You understand what your problems are, you understand that what you do does not fit into our society. We just cannot and will not in any way agree that your behavior was appropriate," said Putnam County Judge O.C. Spaulding.
Once he is out of prison, Smeltzer, who was involved in church activities in both Putnam and Kanawha counties, must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
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