*The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a Central California pastor who admitted to molesting a 7-year-old girl from his church is headed to prison for 15 years to life.

Roger Rickman pleaded guilty to one count of child sexual abuse as part of a deal with prosecutors, who agreed to drop five other counts.

San Joaquin County prosecutor Elton Grau told The Record of Stockton that the victim’s family supported the deal to avoid the emotional stress of a trial.

Prosecutors say the 66-year-old Rickman, who led the Fresh Anointing Faith International Christian Church in Tracy, was a close friend of the victim’s family and often would drive the child home from school. According to police, the girl said Rickman made her perform sexual acts while in the car.

Rickman’s attorney read a letter of apology at his sentencing Monday.

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