A former Brookings pastor, who was found guilty of sexual contact with a minor in 2015, has lost his appeal in the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Timothy Bariteau, 39, was found guilty of sexual contact with a child under 16 in June of 2015 and sentenced to eight years in prison.  Due to the nature of the crime, Bariteau must serve at least half of the term in prison before consideration for parole.

The incident occurred in the Spring of 2014 while Bariteau was a pastor at Morningside Community Church.

According to Perry Miller of KJJQ Radio in Brookings, Bariteau appealed the conviction, alleging he should have been found not guilty because of insufficient evidence.

The Supreme Court disagreed and the conviction stands.

Bariteau must also register as a sex offender and can have no contact with any children under 16 years of age other than his own.

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