Fayette County pastor pleads guilty to sex crimes

A Fayette County pastor accused of sex crimes against a 12-year-old girl pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of sexual abuse.

Timothy E. Parker, 40, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate before he was arrested and charged Aug. 5 with third-degree sexual abuse and two counts of lascivious acts with a child, pleaded guilty Nov. 3 to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse during a bench trial before 1st Judicial District Judge John Bauercamper.

According to the criminal complaint, on three separate occasions, Parker fondled or performed oral sex on the girl. Deputies said the alleged incidents took place at the church parsonage in early June 2009.

In September, Parker was also charged with four counts of violating a no contact order after allegedly trying to contact the victim and family members by giving letters to Pastor Ronnie Koch, who was visiting Parker at the Fayette County jail. Koch, 44, of Fredericksburg was charged as an accessory for allegedly mailing the letters.

Parker's sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13, with three hours scheduled. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for the two class-C felonies.