A former church pastor accused of crimes against a child entered a plea and resolved his case on May 26.
Here’s what we know about that and other cases heard at the Marion County Judicial Center the week of May 26.
State v. Derrell Dernell Redding
Judge: Circuit Judge Barbara Kissner Kwatkosky.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Katrina Self; filling in for defense attorney Destiny Artis was Adam Chase.
Charges: Two counts of child abuse. This is a reduced charge from the original: five counts of sexual battery and three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.
What was the plea?: No contest.
What was the sentence? Redding, 57, was sentenced to 10 years of probation. Adjudication was withheld. He has 139 days of credit for time served at the county jail.
As part of the plea negotiation, Redding cannot have any contact with the victim, must undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation, cannot have unsupervised contact with anyone younger than 18, and cannot have overnight visitation with any child.
Was Redding in or out of custody at the time of the hearing? Out on bond.
About the case: Sheriff’s deputies arrested Redding in 2023. He was accused of molesting a child in his care. Redding was pastor at Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church at the time of his arrest.
State v. Christian Linan
Judge: Circuit Judge Steven Rogers.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Debra Munchel and defense attorney John Weeks.
Charge: Three counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a child age 12 to 16.
When was his sentencing? May 29. Linan, a former Marion County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy, had pleaded guilty to the offenses on May 11.
How long will he spend in prison? Seven and a half years. He has two days of credit for time served at the jail.
Once he’s done with his prison time, Linan must serve two years of probation. While on probation he cannot posses any firearms or ammunition, must register as a sexual offender, and cannot have any contact with the victim.
About the case: Sheriff’s officials said the 36-year-old man had sex with a juvenile while he was a school resource officer. He admitted to having sex with the girl, officials said.
An investigation began in early 2024 and concluded with Linan’s arrest.
A sheriff’s deputy since 2016, Linan was a school resource officer at Dunnellon High School from 2022 until his arrest, officials said. Linan resigned in lieu of termination on Feb. 5, 2024.
State v. James Francis Westervelt III
Judge: Circuit Judge Steven Rogers.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Debra Munchel and defense attorney Evan Gardiner.
Charges: Child abuse, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
What was the reason for Westervelt’s hearing? Motion for bail.
What was the outcome? At the hearing, held May 29, Gardiner asked the judge for a reasonable bail. The defendant’s father testified for the defense, saying he could pay up to $1,000 toward his son’s bond.
He said his son wasn’t aware there had been a warrant for his arrest; otherwise, he would have surrendered. Westervelt worked as a server at a Leesburg eatery.
Answering the prosecution questions, the father said he’s not aware of his son having any drug issues. If Westervelt is released on bond, he would live in Eustis.
Munchel said her office is still waiting on more information regarding the child, who died in August 2024. The child was the defendant’s son.
In the child abuse case, Westervelt is accused of pointing a leaf blower close to the child’s face while the boy was on his back in bed. At the time, the child was between 2 weeks and 2 months old.
The child died at age 6 month. The death is being investigated as a homicide. The child abuse and homicide investigations are separate, according to Munchel.
If the defendant is allowed to post bond, Munchel said, he should not be allowed to possess drugs or alcohol.
The judge, who said the situation was extremely troubling, set bail in the child abuse case at $500,000 and at $3,000 for the drug case. The judge said if Westervelt is released, he cannot have any contact with children who are younger than 18.
Westervelt, 38, has an arraignment set for June 9. At that hearing, he will know how the state is charging him.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Former Ocala pastor sentenced to probation in case with child victim
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
