Pastor Charged With 12 Counts Of Sexual Abuse Of A Minor

Alaska: The former pastor of a Fairbanks church was back in the state Tuesday to answer charges that he engaged in a months-long sexual relationship with a teenage girl.

Shawn Anthony Justice, 32, was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Douglas Blankenship. Justice pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts of sexual abuse of a minor, a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

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 Fairbanks police believe Justice met the 15-year-old victim while he was pastor. Justice initially engaged in suspicious activity with the girl, such as sending her inappropriate text messages at church functions, according to police. However, the relationship between Justice and the teen allegedly became sexual last summer, months after he was dismissed as pastor of the church.