Minister Gets Five To Eight Years For Molestation

MARKSVILLE, La. (AP) — A state district judge in Avoyelles Parish has sentenced a 54-year-old minister to at least five years in prison for sexual molestation of a child.

The Town Talk reports that the Rev. Allen Chris Gintz is scheduled to report to prison at 2 p.m. on Nov. 26.

Judge Billy Bennett sentenced Gintz to eight years each on two counts of molestation of a juvenile. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he'll spend up to eight years in prison. Bennett ordered that Gintz's first five years be without the chance of probation or parole.

Gintz was pastor of the Abundant Life Church outside Marksville at the time of his Oct. 21, 2010, arrest. It was unclear whether Gintz is still affiliated with the church.