Youth Pastor Receives 15 Years on Sex Abuse Charge

Goupstate
February 12, 2013

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20130211/ARTICLES/302111018

A former youth pastor was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week at the conclusion of a four-day trial on a sex abuse charge in Union County, according to information released by the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Stephen Douglas Berry, 40, was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. He must serve 85 percent of the sentence and register as a sex offender. Berry, who previously served as the youth pastor at New Life Baptist Church in Union, was accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl over a six month period in 2010.

“This case reflects the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office’s commitment to bring to justice those in positions of trust who abuse children,” said 16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett in a written statement.