Kevin Harrison Jr.

THOMASVILLE — A man charged with a sex offense involving a teenage girl — a minister at a Thomasville church at the time — has been sentenced to prison.

Kevin Harrison Jr. was charged in April 2014 with child molestation and statutory rape.

He entered a guilty plea to statutory rape in Thomas County Superior Court. Judge Harry Jay Altman sentenced 36-year-old Harrison to 15 years in prison, serve three, with the remainder on probation.

Harrison was pastor at The Life, Power & and Praise Church, 1217 N. Short Broad St., when he had inappropriate contact and sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old female who attended the church, court records show.

The minister and the teen had sex a number of times in various places in the community.

The victim eventually reported the activity to law enforcement. After the teen was interviewed and underwent a sexual assault examination, Harrison was arrested.

Records show the victim’s cell phone contained messages and photos of a sexual nature from Harrison.

Incidents in involving the girl took place between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2013.

Harrison, whose address at the time of his arrest was 3510 Lucas Richardson Road, Hahira, admitted having sexual contact with the girl, records show.

Records also show the teen and Harrison’s primary form of communication was on social media.

The case was investigated by the Thomasville regional office of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Thomasville Police Department.