Former Wisconsin Rapids youth pastor pleads guilty to child sex crimes
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) - A former Wisconsin Rapids youth pastor has pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child.
James Lane, 53, pleaded guilty to the charge, which occurred between the fall of 2002 and the winter of 2003.
Attorney General Josh Kaul and Wood County District Attorney Jonathan Barnett say the case was reported through the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place June 3. Lane faces up to 40 years in prison.
“As this conviction shows, the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative is continuing to have an impact,” said AG Kaul. “Thank you to the courageous survivor whose decision to make a report has led to accountability for the defendant.”
Lane was a youth pastor at Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids and had been living in Colorado.
Lane admitted to assaulting the victim in his vehicle when he was driving the victim home.
The victim in this case had not reported the assault to either church or legal authorities before reporting through the website for the Wisconsin DOJ Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative.
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