Pastor appeals sexual battery conviction

Sun Herald
September 8, 2014

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/08/5787182_pastor-appeals-sexual-battery.html?rh=1

JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi pastor is appealing his 2013 conviction and 30-year sentence for the fondling of a child.

Larry Gene Singleton, now 72, was convicted in Tate County on two counts of fondling and one count of sexual battery.

Singleton, the former pastor of Bay Springs Baptist Church in Abbeville, Mississippi, was arrested in December of 2013 after sheriff's investigators received a complaint from the victim, who accused Singleton of forcing him to have sex.

Authorities say the sexual abuse allegedly began when the victim was 11 years old and continued for several years.

In his appeal, Singleton argues he was coerced into confessing to the crimes.

The case is among dozens the Appeals Court will consider during its September-October term. It is not hearing oral arguments in the case.