John C. Sapp was a youth pastor at the conservative Maranatha Fellowship church in Dover, Delaware. They ascribe to the anti-gay, anti-choice Conservative Mennonite Statement of Practice. In February, 2020, he confessed that he was raping a minor in the congregation. But only to preempt her going public as she had already told someone.
The pastor informed the police who investigated further. They soon learned she was not his only victim. He preyed on the minor girls in the church’s youth group.
He was charged with 89 sex abuse crimes against children, including:
- Continuous Sexual Abuse Of A Child (2 Counts)
- Unlawful Sexual Contact Second Degree (33 Counts)
- Sexual Abuse Of A Child By A Person Of Trust First Degree (29 Counts)
- Sexual Abuse Of A Child By A Person Of Trust Second Degree (3 Counts)
- Rape Fourth Degree Sexual Intercourse Victim Less Than 18 Years Old (13 Counts)
- Rape Fourth Degree Sexual Penetration Of Another Person Without Consent (7 Counts)
- Loitering On Property Of A State- Supported School, College, Or University (2 Counts)
He pleaded guilty to three counts in a plea agreement. He was sentenced to six years in prison, the bare minimum despite blaming the victims just a few days before sentencing, claiming his actions were unintentional, and that others failed him. He thought it was unfair for him to serve any time at all.
Plea deals for CSA perpetrators such as this man should be made unavailable and laws changed so it is illegal to offer plea deals, particularly if victims are willing to testify. The original 89 charges being cut to THREE as part of his plea deal is absolutely horrifying! Six years for his crimes is a shockingly low sentence particularly given his victim blaming, lack of remorse and obvious inability to understand and accept responsibility in the run up to his trial. This plea deal and pathetic sentence makes the judiciary look like they are either a pack of predator protectors or that they are completely and absolutely incompetent and unwilling to put victims rights first.