Authorities have charged a former youth pastor with sexual abuse of a young child in Peoria County.
The Pekin Daily Times reports (http://bit.ly/1xkxtIs ) 26-year-old Nicholas Lawrence, of Pekin, served as pastor of youth services at Pekin Church of God. The church’s pastor says he held that position for nearly two years until he was fired in June.
Lawrence is charged with one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child under age 13. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.
He’s being held in Peoria County Jail, and his bond has been set at $100,000.
His preliminary hearing is Sept. 25. The circuit clerk’s office in Peoria County says its records don’t show an attorney yet for him.