Ex-youth pastor gets 3 years for molesting teen

David Lawson appears in court.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former youth pastor who pleaded guilty last month to three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison.

David Lawson, 38, who worked at Christ's Church in Mandarin for nearly seven years, admitted to sexually molesting a 15-year-old.

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Jacksonville police said they received information on Dec. 18 that Lawson engaged in sexual activity with a minor.

Lawson was taken into custody at the church and then questioned by police, who said he confessed.

Lawson is married and has children.

Church officials said as a result of the arrest, they moved new leadership into place in their high school program of their Mandarin campus.