Former Youth Minister Pleads Guilty To Sex Charge

BRIDGEPORT (AP) — Authorities say a former youth minister at a Monroe church has admitted he sent sexually explicit e-mails to a 15-year-old girl he had been counseling.

David Esarey, 30, of Newtown pleaded guilty in Bridgeport Superior Court on January 22 to a charge of risk of injury to a child.

Esarey worked at Stepney Baptist Church at the time of the incident last year. He initially claimed other teens used his computer to send the e-mails, which included pictures of his genitalia.

Prosecutors say they will recommend probation for Esarey on the condition that he must register as a sex offender. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 13.

The church’s pastor says Esarey has been dismissed from the church and cannot return in any capacity.