CALIFORNIA
Patch
By Maggie Avants
Just before he was due for a hearing to determine whether he should go to trial, the former lead pastor of an Oceanside church admitted having a sexual relationship with a young girl.
Matthias Anderson, 41, of Hemet, was immediately sentenced to nine years and four months in prison on four felony counts.
The relationship between Anderson and the girl began in February 2008, according to Deputy District Attorney Julie Baldwin.
Anderson, a decorated retired Marine sergeant, was the founder of New Wine Ministries in Oceanside.
The girl—identified as Jane Doe—attended the congregation with her parents. There was some inappropriate touching that took place when the girl was under 14, Baldwin told Riverside County Superior Court Judge Angel Bermudez.
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