Manassas youth pastor to plead guilty in child sex abuse case, prosecutors say
MANASSAS, Va. (FOX 5 DC) - A youth pastor for a Northern Virginia megachurch will plead guilty in his child sex abuse case, according to officials.
Special Prosecutor Kevin Gross told FOX 5 that 27-year-old Jordan Baird, who worked at the Life Church in Manassas as a youth pastor, will plead guilty in court on Monday.
Baird had been charged with two counts of indecent liberty with a child by a custodian, both felonies that carry a maximum of five years in prison.
Baird was convicted last year of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl from the church in 2014.
RELATED: Victim's mom speaks out about daughter's sexual abuse by megachurch youth pastor, aspiring pop star
Baird was later re-arrested, accused of abusing a second teen in that same timeframe. That trial was scheduled to begin on Monday. The young woman's family is also suing Life Church for $21 million.
The church did not go to the police when initial accusations against Baird came to light.
A church spokeswoman says it's because they were unaware of any physical contact. But others believe it was an effort to protect Baird, who's the son of the head pastor.
RELATED: Virginia on track to make religious leaders mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse
Baird's case has inspired legislation that would require religious leaders to report suspected child abuse in Virginia.