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Ex-Pastor Gets 4-Year Sentence for Sexual Assault
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) -- A former youth pastor from Canton has been sentenced to four years in prison for the sexual assault of a teen-age girl.

Circuit Judge William Davis says 37-year-old Jason Philips made "a very serious mistake" but took his previous "good work" into account when giving him the minimum sentence. The (Peoria) Journal Star reports that about 45 people filled the courtroom to support him.

Philips was youth pastor at Covenant Community Fellowship Church when prosecutors say he built a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl.

A jury convicted Philips of criminal sexual assault in April.

The jury was shown text messages that the girl received from Philips that prosecutors say supported her claims.

Defense attorney Kevin Sullivan says the case will be turned over to a public defender for appeal.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
06 25 11 by Newsroom
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