BENTON, Ill. (WJPF) – The former pastor of a Benton Church has been convicted of attempted enticement of a minor.

Mark Allen Fitzpatrick led the Greater Life Sanctuary Church in Benton. He was arrested in August 2020 after he was caught in an FBI sting.

Federal prosecutors say Fitzpatrick communicated online with an undercover agent who Fitzpatrick believed was a 15-year-old boy. The 58-year-old sent the agent  sexually explicit texts and lewd photographs of himself. Fitzpatrick eventually arranged to meet the 15-year-old at a home in Marion. When he arrived he was taken into custody. 

Mark Fitzpatrick is currently out on bond. He’ll be sentenced in August and faces at least 10 years behind bars.