Former Marksville Pastor Reaches Plea Deal in Child Sexual Abuse Case

Avoyelles Today
November 13, 2012

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A former Marksville pastor reached a plea deal and plead guilty on one count of indecent behavior of a juvenile and has been sentenced to eight years in prison with no benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. The plea deal for Allen Chris Gintz was reached on Thursday, November 8 in 12th Judicial District Court. District Court Judge Billy Bennett sentenced Gintz to prison. Because Gintz plead guilty to a sex crime, he must serve the entire eight years in prison.

Gintz was ordered to remain under house arrest and wear an ankle bracelet until he reports to prison. He can not leave his home unless it is to places approved by the court. Judge Bennett ruled Gintz could not even go to church.

He gave Gintz two weeks to get his affairs in order before reporting to prison on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Gintz had requested 30 days but Judge Bennett refused the request giving him just two weeks.

The trial was scheduled to start on Monday, November 5 and in fact the jury had been picked. The trial didn’t start until Thursday because of the elections and a death in the Gintz family. Opening statements by District Attorney Charles riddle and defense attorneys had been given to the jury when the plea deal was reached.

Gintz had been arrested by the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) on sexual abuse charges dealing with two children on October 20, 2010.

According to APSo reports, Gintz, age 52 at the time of his arrest lived at 843 La. Highway 1193, in Marksville. He was arrested and charged with two counts of “aggravated rape” and one count of “sexual battery.”

Gintz, at the time of his arrest, was the pastor at Abundant Life Church located on La. Highway 1193 in Marksville. According to APSO officials, he had been the pastor at the church since 1996.

On October 20, 2010 the APSO Criminal Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at Gintz’s home in Marksville. The investigation began after authorities received a complaint of suspected sexual abuse involving children.

The APSO and the Louisiana Office of Children and Family Services conducted a joint investigation, leading investigators to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Gintz on the sexual charges.

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