Florida Pastor Sentenced to Life

Randon Lee Carroll, a 41-year-old Florida pastor, received a life prison sentence on Tuesday for sexually battering a teenage boy under his custodial authority. Circuit Judge Russell Roberts in Holmes County entered the verdict following Carroll's open plea to sexual battery of a victim between the ages of 12 and 18.

Carroll also admitted to sexual performance by a child, a charge stemming from his decision to videotape parts of the abuse. Prosecutors stated that the reported abuse occurred earlier this year. The defendant had originally been scheduled to stand trial in October but changed his approach before the hearing.

State Attorney Larry Basford announced the sentencing. Holmes County Chief Prosecutor Jake Cook led the prosecution, noting that the office had not offered Carroll any plea deal other than life in prison. Cook described the offense as the worst possible act that can be committed against a child.

During the hearing, Cook asked Judge Roberts to impose the maximum sentence so that the defendant would die in prison. The prosecutor noted that Carroll confessed to the sexual acts during an interview. Carroll told investigators, “I have a problem. I shouldn’t have done it.”

Investigators confirmed that the details provided by Carroll matched the account given by the victim. The victim's mother submitted a written impact statement to the court. She described the family's strong religious beliefs and questioned how a pastor could deliver sermons while abusing a child in his care.

In the statement, the mother wrote, “It takes a wicked person to do that.” She added, “There’s no way this is of God. This is pure evil.” Basford acknowledged the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office for its role in investigating the case.