Sex Crimes Yield No Jail Time for Music Minister
By David Kenney
A former Clinton Minister of music has entered guilty pleas on multiple child sexual abuse charges, but 50-year-old John Langworthy will not serve any jail time. Langworthy, who pled guilty to five charges of gratification of lust involving five males, received ten years for each count, which was suspended. He received five years probation, and will have to register as a sex offender. Langworthy was facing eight counts of sexual gratification. The crimes took place between April 8 of 1980 and Dec. 31 of 1984. Defense attorneys had argued that the statute of limitations had run out, which prosecutors say led to the light sentence plea agreement. Two of the victims were allowed to speak aloud in court before sentencing. "I pray you will find healing for your soul and find a way forward from here. I have prayed for you for many years and will continue to do so. The only way you will ever find peace and rest for your soul is when you come completely clean," said one victim.
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