Former Crystal Springs Pastor Plans to Plead Guilty to Statutory Rape and Sexual Battery Charges

CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS. (BuzzReport) — A former Crystal Springs pastor has indicated he plans to plead guilty to multiple felony charges, including statutory rape and sexual battery, following his arrest earlier this month.

According to investigators, Christopher Willett, who previously served as pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Crystal Springs, was arrested on Tuesday, March 11, by the Crystal Springs Police Department after authorities executed arrest warrants related to an ongoing investigation.

Willett faces several serious charges, including statutory rape, sexual battery, unnatural intercourse, computer luring of a person, and possession of child pornography. Police have said that additional charges could still be filed as the investigation continues.

Prosecutors have outlined a proposed plea agreement in the case. Under the terms of that deal, they would recommend the following sentences:

• Statutory rape: 30 years in prison, with five years suspended
• Sexual battery: 30 years in prison, with five years suspended
• Incest: 10 years in prison

If approved by a judge, the sentences would run concurrently, meaning Willett would serve 25 years in prison.

In addition to the prison sentence, Willett would be required to pay investigative fees, court costs, and restitution to the Mississippi Crime Victims’ Compensation Program.

Willett is currently being held without bond at the Copiah County Jail.

Court officials have not yet announced when a judge will formally review the plea agreement. Authorities say the case remains under investigation.