Ex-megachurch pastor enters plea in sex case - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Ex-megachurch pastor enters plea in sex case

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HAMMOND -

The former pastor of a northwestern Indiana megachurch has admitted having three sexual encounters with a parish girl, but told a judge he didn't realize at the time that his actions were illegal.

Fifty-four-year-old Jack Schaap of Dyer told a federal judge during Wednesday's plea hearing that he first had sex with the girl when she was 16.

The former pastor of Hammond's First Baptist Church pleaded guilty to a charge of taking a minor across state lines for sex. He faces the possibility of 10 or more years in prison when he's sentenced Jan. 15. Schaap's plea deal also calls for him to register as a sex offender.

Schaap was fired in July by church officials. His former congregation has about 15,000 members.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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