Ex-pastor sentenced to 5 years in prison

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A former pastor is sentenced to five years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

Gustavo Resendiz Talabera pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Two counts of depriving parental rights were dismissed.

Authorities say Talabera and the girl ran away together. Talabera's wife told investigators he had withdrawn $3,000 from their bank account and fled.

Police tracked their cellphones and located them at a relative's home in Joliet, Ill.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press says although the age of consent is 16 in Minnesota, Talabera was charged last September because the girl was a parishioner at a West St. Paul church where he was pastor.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.