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| Darwin Frederick Schauer |
The former pastor of a small Lutheran church in northern Minnesota has been jailed on charges that he regularly had sex with a teenage girl over whom he was in a position of authority.
The Rev. Darwin Frederick Schauer, 70, who led the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church of Lake George from 1998 until about 2006, was being held in the Hubbard County jail in lieu of $1 million bail or $750,000.
Schauer was charged last week with 15 counts of felony criminal sexual conduct with a minor teenage girl. The girl told police Schauer had sex with her twice a week from the spring of 2009 until late last month, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hubbard County District Court.
The girl told investigators that she was afraid Schauer would hurt her if she didn't comply. District Judge Robert Tiffany appointed a public defender, who did not respond to a request for comment.
Schauer's next court appearance was set for March 19. The church issued a statement saying, "Our hearts and prayers go out to the young victim of these horrific acts."
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Lake George pastor’s bail set at $1 million in sex case | Bemidji Pioneer | Bemidji, Minnesota:
Unconditional bond in the amount of $1 million has been set in the case of a former Lake George pastor facing 15 counts of criminal sexual conduct with a teenager.
Darwin Frederick Schauer, 70, the longtime pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Lake George, MN, was arraigned Wednesday on the charges in Hubbard County District Court. He served in Lake George from 1998, when the church merged with Immanuel in Cass Lake, until about six years ago.
The conduct, including sexual intercourse, is alleged to have begun in 2009, after he left Trinity, according to the criminal complaint. Schauer currently resides in Laporte.
Schauer is charged with six counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct, each punishable by a maximum of 30 years in jail and/or a $40,000 fine; two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, each carrying a maximum of 25 yeas and/or a $30,000 fine and seven counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct. Those charges are each punishable by a maximum of 15 years in jail and/or a $30,000 fine upon conviction.
Judge Robert Tiffany set conditional bail at $750,000 with the conditions that Schauer surrender his passport, have weekly contact with a probation officer, remain law-abiding and not contact the victim.
Schauer was appointed a public defender at Wednesday’s appearance. His next appearance is set for March 19.
A call to the church office had not been returned by Thursday afternoon.
The arrest came after a complaint was filed with the Hubbard County Sheriff’s office March 4.
'via Blog this'
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GJ - In WELS and the ELS this would be filed under - "Future Church Growth Consultant and Youth Leader. Check for rich friends." They would build a church in his honor and exterminate anyone who found out the truth.
Someone requested that this story be posted.
Lake George pastor’s bail set at $1 million in sex case | Bemidji Pioneer | Bemidji, Minnesota:
Unconditional bond in the amount of $1 million has been set in the case of a former Lake George pastor facing 15 counts of criminal sexual conduct with a teenager.
Darwin Frederick Schauer, 70, the longtime pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Lake George, MN, was arraigned Wednesday on the charges in Hubbard County District Court. He served in Lake George from 1998, when the church merged with Immanuel in Cass Lake, until about six years ago.
The conduct, including sexual intercourse, is alleged to have begun in 2009, after he left Trinity, according to the criminal complaint. Schauer currently resides in Laporte.
Schauer is charged with six counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct, each punishable by a maximum of 30 years in jail and/or a $40,000 fine; two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, each carrying a maximum of 25 yeas and/or a $30,000 fine and seven counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct. Those charges are each punishable by a maximum of 15 years in jail and/or a $30,000 fine upon conviction.
Judge Robert Tiffany set conditional bail at $750,000 with the conditions that Schauer surrender his passport, have weekly contact with a probation officer, remain law-abiding and not contact the victim.
Schauer was appointed a public defender at Wednesday’s appearance. His next appearance is set for March 19.
A call to the church office had not been returned by Thursday afternoon.
The arrest came after a complaint was filed with the Hubbard County Sheriff’s office March 4.
'via Blog this'
***
GJ - In WELS and the ELS this would be filed under - "Future Church Growth Consultant and Youth Leader. Check for rich friends." They would build a church in his honor and exterminate anyone who found out the truth.
Someone requested that this story be posted.
