YAKIMA, WA (October 19, 2006) – A former youth pastor at Selah Covenant Church was sentenced earlier this week to six years in prison for possessing child pornography.
James N. Cannel, 45, resigned from the church in March 2005 after being arrested. Cannel had used a computer to trade child pornography and to try to arrange sex with a detective posing as a 12-year-old boy.
James N. Cannel, 45, resigned from the church in March 2005 after being arrested. Cannel had used a computer to trade child pornography and to try to arrange sex with a detective posing as a 12-year-old boy.
Cannel worked at Selah Covenant for four months prior to being arrested at the church. Church leaders immediately suspended Cannel who resigned days later.
He previously had worked at the Union Gospel Mission in Yakima. A spokesman for the mission said Cannel had a long history of being involved in youth activities and camps, but officials said they never suspected any problems.
Although U.S. District Judge Edward Shea did not sentence Cannel to the eight years the prosecutors wanted, the sentence was more severe than the one-year term the defense had sought.
Cannel will have to register as a sex offender and undergo sex-offender treatment. He will also be placed on three years of probation following his release from prison.
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