Ex-Salem pastor pleads guilty to sexually assaulting child, will get prison term

By Alex Young
South Jersey Times
July 29, 2014

http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2014/07/former_salem_city_pastor_pleads_guilty_to_sexual_assault.html

Former Pastor of the Salem Presbyterian Church, Jonathan Smith, pleaded guilty to a sexual assault charge before Judge Timothy Farrell, Tuesday, July 29, 2014.

SALEM — The former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Salem pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexually assaulting a minor child — one of his own relatives — in the summer of 2013.

Jonathan Smith, 59, formerly of Market Street in Salem, will be sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison when he returns to Superior Court in September. He pleaded guilty to one count of second degree sexual assault.

In court Tuesday, Smith admitted to sexually assaulting a victim less than 13 years old. At Smith's arraignment in April, Assistant Salem County Prosecutor Lisa Rastelli revealed that the victim was a relative who spent time during the summer of 2013 at Smith's home, the Presbyterian pastor's house on Market Street.

The boy's mother reportedly became concerned when he returned home after his time in Salem and something didn't seem right. The victim told his mother about the incidents, who then alerted the authorities.

Charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Smith — who currently resides in Ocean Springs, Miss. — was arrested on Nov. 14, 2013, and was initially jailed at the Salem County Correctional facility.

He was later released on $150,000 bail, according to court files.

Smith led the Presbyterian Church's congregation for about nine years as pastor. He was involved in many local organizations and attended numerous events during his time in Salem.

About a month before his arrest, Smith resigned his from his position as pastor with little explanation.

Officials from the church said he cited "personal and medical issues" as his reasons for leaving the church.

The church's Session — a representative group responsible for governing each Presbyterian church — released a statement Tuesday expressing the church's gratitude to members of the criminal justice system that investigated and prosecuted the case.

"The church community continues to pray for the healing of the victim in this tragedy and for our community as a whole," the statement said. "We are confident that the First Presbyterian Church of Salem is stronger than ever, and more committed than ever to serving God and community."

Under the plea agreement, Smith will be sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison on Sept. 30. He will have to serve 85 percent — or about three years and four months — before he's eligible for parole.

Smith will also be under parole supervision for life, he will have to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and he will be barred from having contact with the victim under Nicole's Law.

He must also pay approximately $2,000 in various fines and fees.