Pastor Sentenced To Life In Prison

Randon Lee Carroll, 41, will spend the rest of his life in prison for sexually battering a teenage boy in Florida. Circuit Judge Russell Roberts issued the sentence on Tuesday. State Attorney Larry Basford confirmed the ruling in Ponce de Leon.

The abuse occurred earlier this year while the victim was under Carroll's custodial authority. Carroll was originally set to go to trial in October. Instead, he entered an open plea to sexual battery of a victim over 12 but under 18. He also pleaded guilty to sexual performance by a child for videotaping the acts. An open plea allows the judge to determine the final sentence without a pre-set agreement.

Holmes County Chief Prosecutor Jake Cook stated that the office did not offer any plea deal other than life in prison. During the sentencing hearing, Cook cross-examined defense witnesses and argued for the maximum penalty. He told Judge Roberts that the state requested the pastor die in prison. Cook called the crime the worst possible act that can be committed against a child.

Carroll confessed to the sexual acts during an interview. He told investigators, “I have a problem. I shouldn’t have done it.” Prosecutors noted that the details provided by the defendant matched the account given by the victim. The victim’s mother submitted a written impact statement describing the family's strong religious beliefs. She questioned how a pastor could deliver sermons while committing such acts. She wrote, “It takes a wicked person to do that. There’s no way this is of God. This is pure evil.”

Basford thanked the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office for its investigation. Cook said he hoped the sentence would provide justice for the victim and his family. The case was handled by the State Attorney’s Office in Holmes County.