Pastor sentenced to 15 years' probation for molesting young relative years ago

Justin Peterson, a 34-year-old former youth pastor at River of Life Church in Lutz, pleaded guilty to the molestation of a female relative 17 years ago when he was babysitting the girl.

Assistant State Attorney Kimberly Hindman asked for 10 years in prison and defense attorney Eddie Suarez asked for probation. The presiding judge sentenced Peterson to 15 years of sex offender probation but allowed him to remain a pastor.

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