Former Pastor's Probation Revoked, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

A judge has revoked a former North Texas minister's probation and ordered him to serve 10 years in prison over a 2008 sexual assault conviction involving a teenage parishioner.

James Virtue Robinson IV was re-sentenced Wednesday in Fort Worth. A judge determined the 42-year-old Robinson, who in 2008 was sentenced to 10 years of deferred adjudication, violated probation eight times.

Robinson originally pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a then-15-year-old girl. Fort Worth police said some encounters happened inside Southwood Baptist Church.

Robinson, who resigned following his arrest, was required to register as a sex offender, not be with unchaperoned children and was restricted from participating in church services or other activities that would place him in the company of children.

Prosecutors several months ago received a tip from a parishoner in Robinson's new church that he was violating his restrictions.

At a hearing this week, Robinson pled true to eight instances of probation violations, including being unchaperoned with children parishoners.

"The most terrifying aspect of this Defendant is his ability to convince people to follow him regardless of his actions," said prosecutor Kim D'Avignon.  "I wish he were unique, but we are all now more aware of the predators that lurk in places like churches, schools, and youth organizations. Let this sentence send a message that Tarrant County is watching."

The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office said "testimony also included evidence that Robinson had sought out ways to manipulate the testing procedures that were part of his sex offender rehabilitation program."

Robinson is now required to serve 10 years in prison for his 2008 conviction.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us