Pastor loses appeal of sexual battery conviction

Sun Herald
November 26, 2014

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/11/26/5936050_pastor-loses-appeal-of-sexual.html?rh=1

JACKSON, Miss. — The state Court of Appeals has upheld the 2013 conviction of a Mississippi pastor for sexual battery of a child.

Larry Gene Singleton, now 72, was convicted in Tate County on two counts of fondling and one count of sexual battery. He is serving a 30-year sentence.

Singleton, the former pastor of Bay Springs Baptist Church in Abbeville, 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.

The Appeals Court on Tuesday rejected Singleton's argument that he was coerced into confessing to the crimes. The court said Singleton waived his rights and agreed to the interrogation.