Youth Pastor Gets 15 Years in Prison for Abusing Girls
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A former police officer and juvenile court counselor has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after he admitted sexually abusing two 16-year-old girls in a church group he led as a youth pastor.
Dean Barnes also was convicted of supplying contraband in jail. In December, officers discovered the 34-year-old Barnes had carved a sharp point on the end of his toothbrush.
His attorney says Barnes wanted to end his own life with the weapon.
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His sentencing Wednesday in Baker County Circuit Court was attended by about 50 people, including members of Baker City Church of the Nazarene, where Barnes was a youth pastor, and law enforcement officers.
Barnes was arrested on Oct. 20. The abuse occurred last year.