By Bob Allen
An East Texas pastor arrested May 6 after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his home pleaded guilty July 8 to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to 12 months of probation.
ABC affiliate KTRE reported that Andy Pittman, the former senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Lufkin, Texas, accepted a plea bargain. He will also have to pay a $500 fine and $258 in court costs, do 100 hours community service, get counseling and donate $100 to a family crisis center.
A family member called police after Pittman allegedly pushed his wife into a door during a verbal argument. There were no signs of physical injury, but the woman complained of pain in her arm.
According to initial reports, the woman did not want Pittman to be taken to jail, but Texas law requires police to make an arrest in calls involving family violence.
The television station quoted an unnamed member of the First Baptist Church staff confirming Pittman has resigned from his position as the church’s senior pastor. The June 26 church newsletter announced a love offering was being taken for the Pittman family.
Pittman, a graduate of Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, led the church since 2006. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
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