WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFRV) – A Colorado man, and former youth pastor in central Wisconsin, has pleaded guilty after allegedly assaulting a child between September 2002 and December 2003.
According to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), 53-year-old James Lane was charged with one count of Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child, stemming from a report made to the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative.
Lane pleaded guilty on April 8. He faces up to 40 years in prison, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 3.
At the time of the incidents, Lane was reportedly a youth pastor at Faith Reformed Church located in Wisconsin Rapids. Lane is alleged to have assaulted the victim in his vehicle when he was reportedly driving the victim home.
When interviewed by Wisconsin DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation special agents, Lane allegedly stated that he had a “relationship” with a girl in the youth group that got “inappropriate.”
Before reporting the alleged assault through the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative, authorities say that the victim had not reported any incidents to either the church or law enforcement.
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“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.”
Survivors of clergy or faith leader abuse, their friends and family, or anyone who has information about how a religious organization has responded to reported abuse are encouraged to report that information to Wisconsin DOJ either online at SupportSurvivors.widoj.gov or by calling 1-877-222-2620.
Wisconsin Department of Justice
No additional details were provided.
