Former Pastor Accepts Plea Deal to Sex Abuse Charges

By Lance Vaught
WTVQ
April 16, 2014

http://www.wtvq.com/content/localnews/story/Former-Pastor-Accepts-Plea-Deal-to-Sex-Abuse-Charg/ZnAZWTR0MEShi1jDMshkIA.cspx

A former Wayne County pastor who had been indicted on 13 counts of rape in 2011 accepted a plea deal Tuesday.

Gerald Dishman's charges of rape were reduced to sexual abuse when he pleaded guilty to all counts.

In doing so, his original sentence of ten years was also reduced to five years probation.

Between May 17 and May 19, 2011, Dishman was indicted for rape, apprehended, and freed on bond from charges stemming from alleged encounters he repeatedly had with minors from 1985 until 1994.

If he breaks his new probation, he will face his original ten-year sentence.

Dishman previously served as lead pastor of Denny Hollow Jesus Name Church in Monticello.