Nationwide — Jason Allen, a 53-year-old man from Sutton, West Virginia, who served as a pastor at Victory Apostolic Church, was found guilty of sexually motivated battery after an incident during a counseling session at his church. He allegedly reached under a 24-year-old female church member’s skirt during the private meeting.
Prosecutors said Allen was alone with the woman during a spiritual counseling session when he reached under her skirt. They said he touched her leg and thigh while they discussed personal and religious concerns.
According to WLBT, court records showed Allen denied the allegations during the trial and said the woman made up the story. He maintained that no misconduct happened during the session.
However, in a recorded police interview, Allen admitted he touched the woman’s leg. He said he did so to check a “scar” on her calf during the counseling meeting.
Investigators also said Allen suggested the contact may have gone higher on her leg. He claimed the woman had given permission, but she disputed that account during proceedings.
The Braxton County prosecutor’s office said the evidence did not support the claim of consent and pointed to the victim’s testimony and Allen’s recorded statements. Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27 and faces up to one year in jail, along with a possible requirement to register as a sex offender for 10 years.