Pastor sentencing may be delayed so victim can make statement
By Teresa Auch Schultz tauch@post-trib.com January 4, 2013 11:35AM
Jack Schaap, former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hammond. | Provided Photo~Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 6, 2013 6:08AM
Federal attorneys are asking that the Jan. 15 sentencing hearing for former First Baptist Church of Hammond pastor Jack Schaap be delayed so his victim has more time to prepare a statement and restitution request.
Schaap pleaded guilty in September to taking a then-16-year-old girl in June and July into Illinois and Michigan for sexual relations. The girl turned 17 a week after their relationship started.
According to the motion, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Hammond, federal prosecutors weren’t able to speak with the victim until Monday as to whether she and her family wanted to give an impact statement or request restitution. The filing says the family still needs to meet with a counselor to determine what kinds of help she might need and how much it would cost.
The government also wants more time to read Schaap’s sentencing memorandum, filed Thursday, which is 18 pages and contains 140 letters from supporters.
