MIDLAND (MI)
WNEM [Saginaw, MI]
January 9, 2025
By WNEM Digital
A Living Word International Church pastor in Midland, who is accused of sex crimes with a child, will head to trial after declining a plea deal on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Previous coverage: 2 Midland church leaders arrested, charged with child sex crimes
“Is it your decision to accept or reject the plea offer from the prosecuting attorney’s office?” the judge asked.
“I’m rejecting it, sir,” James Randolph said.
Randolph was given the chance to plead guilty to lesser charges, which were three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the judge, the deal carried a maximum punishment of up to 15 years in prison and required Randolph to register as a sex offender. Because Randolph rejected the offer, he could face up to life in prison.
As of Thursday, he will go to trial on six charges: two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. A trial date was not decided in court.
Randolph is currently on administrative leave from Mark Barclay Ministries after an alleged victim testified in court that he would touch her at night starting while she was in sixth grade. He was arrested in November 2023.
Randolph does have a criminal history, including serving time starting in the ‘80s for a sex crime with a 15-year-old girl.
Previous coverage: Midland church pastor, charged with child sex crimes, has criminal history