Baltimore Pastor Convicted of Sexual Assault on Girl

By Ella Desrosiers
Imperfect Parent
April 20, 2012

http://www.imperfectparent.com/topics/2012/04/19/baltimore-pastor-convicted-of-sexual-assault-on-girl/

On Wednesday, a Baltimore City Circuit Court jury found Pastor Leon W. Jones, 61, guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl from April 2000 until March 2002.

According to a report in The Baltimore Sun, the girl, now 27, was introduced to Jones by her mother, who participated in the abuse.

The girl’s mother plead guilty and was convicted of five counts of child sexual abuse. She is currently serving five years in prison.

ABC News Baltimore WMAR reports that at the time of the crime Jones was the pastor at the Renewed Hope Christian Church in Baltimore.

Jones was found guilty on eight counts of second degree sexual offense. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26, and Jones faces up to 160 years in prison, 20 years for each count of abuse.

WMAR further reports that the Baltimore City State’s Attorney said they are pushing for the maximum sentence.