Shreveport pastor sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual acts with minors

KATC
July 23, 2014

http://www.katc.com/news/shreveport-pastor-sentenced-to-prison-for-engaging-in-sexual-acts-with-minors/

A 54-year old Shreveport pastor has been sentenced to over 7 years of imprisonment for engaging in sexual activities with minors.

Andrea Lewis, a Shreveport pastor was found guilty for engaging in sexual acts with girls under 18-years old. They were among members of the choir he formed, and of his congregation.

Lewis used his status as a pastor to coerce the girls. He then used choir trips and church related travel to cover up the sexual abuse, and threatened the girls not to tell anyone.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley says Lewis was found guilty for three counts of transporting minors across state lines to have sex. Evidence collected had proved that Lewis transported at least three minors to and from Texas to have sex with him.

"Unfortunately, this defendant took advantage of his position to abuse young girls in his care and left them with emotional and physical scars that may never heal," Finley stated.

Lewis is sentenced to 7 and a half years of imprisonment with three years of supervised release. He is now a registered sex offender.

"He has forever altered their lives, and now he must face the consequences of his deplorable actions. The Assistant U.S. Attorney, FBI agents and the Shreveport Police Department officers who worked on this case are to be commended for their hard work and efforts in prosecuting this case. They were instrumental in removing the defendant from the community. He violated not only his oath as a minister, but also the trust of parents and these young children," says Finley.