GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — A former Geauga County pastor was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sex crimes last month.
Dennis Laferty was sentenced to two two-year prison sentences by Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge David Ondrey on Friday. The two sentences will run concurrently. Laferty is also required to register as a Tier II sex offender.
Last month, Laferty pled guilty to two counts of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, and sexual imposition, a third-degree misdemeanor. In March, the 37-year-old Laferty, who was a pastor at Thompson United Methodist Church, was arrested and charged with the following:
- Five counts of sexual battery
- One count of gross sexual imposition
- One count of sexual imposition
After Laferty pled guilty to amended charges in June, prosecutors recommended two four-year prison sentences, to run consecutively. At Friday's sentencing, one of Laferty's victims, who was a family member, spoke, pleading for him not to receive any prison time.
Laferty also spoke at Friday's sentencing, stating his belief that going to jail would only cause more harm to the victims and his family. In issuing his sentence, which was shorter than what prosecutors recommended, Judge Ondrey cited Laferty's history of mental health issues, as well as the victims' wishes.
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