Former Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty To Sexual Exploitation Of Children
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- A former youth pastor has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and stalking. Jason Roberson faces at least a decade in prison when he is sentenced.
Roberson, 35, is a former youth pastor at VineLife Church in Longmont. He has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenage church member over several years. He was arrested in September.
The victim is now 23 years old. She told police the relationship with her pastor began when she was 15 years old and continued for seven years.
Police in Boulder issued tickets to two pastors and two elders associated with VineLife Church after investigators said the officials failed to report allegations that Roberson assaulted a child who was a member of the church. A fifth church official was also issued a summons.
Roberson pleaded guilty last week in a deal where prosecutors dropped charges of sexual assault on a child in a position of trust, unlawful sexual contact and an additional sexual exploitation of children charge.
Roberson is scheduled to be sentenced July 18. He had previously entered a plea of not guilty in February.
He remains free on $25,000 bond.