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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMAGA pastor said LGBTQ+ books & flags harm kids. Now he's going to prison for 15 yrs for abusing a child.

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/pastor-said-lgbtq-books-flags-harm-kids-now-hes-going-to-for-with-a-child/
The judge sentenced him to the maximum prison term because he showed no remorse for his crimes.
Anti-LGBTQ+ MAGA pastor Silas H. Shelton of Wilmington, Ohio a man who said that LGBTQ+-themed books and Pride flags harm kids was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Monday for unlawful sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl. The judge said he gave Shelton the maximum sentence because he showed no remorse for his crimes during his trial.
Police originally arrested Shelton for 12 counts of rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. However, he ended up pleading guilty to three third-degree felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and will serve a combined 15 years in prison. Afterward, hell have to register as a Tier II sex offender every 6 months for the next 25 years, according to WKRC.
The abuse started in 2019 and involved a 14-year-old girl who belonged to Sheltons congregation at Blanchester Community Church. The abuse reportedly did not stop until a few months before his arrest last October 16.
____
In 2023, Shelton spoke before the Little Miami Local School District board to decry the availability of LGBTQ+ books in schools. He was specifically angry that his 12-year-old daughter had seen the LGBTQ+ graphic novel series Heartstopper by Alice Oseman available at a book fair.
I dont think kids should ever question their sexuality. I dont think kids should ever explore their sexuality. I dont think any of that stuff ever ought to be in our school, Shelton said. But [my daughter] come home asking me why certain books were in that book fair, which were pertaining to books of gay. One of them was Heartstopper, which is where a gay boy pressures a straight kid into kissing him.
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MAGA pastor said LGBTQ+ books & flags harm kids. Now he's going to prison for 15 yrs for abusing a child. (Original Post)
BlueWaveNeverEnd
8 hrs ago
OP
Omg..he has a 12 year old daughter..I hope she escaped without any physical harm. .
Deuxcents
8 hrs ago
#3
Couldnt happen to a better person !!!! Remember what old melania says ...... Be best.
Trueblue1968
7 hrs ago
#7
Ocelot II
(131,798 posts)1. But at least he isn't a drag queen or a trans person.
3catwoman3
(30,163 posts)2. Every time.
Every damn time.
Deuxcents
(28,205 posts)3. Omg..he has a 12 year old daughter..I hope she escaped without any physical harm. .
BlueWaveNeverEnd
(15,486 posts)4. Me too
Timewas
(2,808 posts)5. No surprise
And way too common
Aristus
(72,723 posts)6. "Yeah, Central Casting? Get me a guy who looks like a child molester! QUICK!"
Jesus...
Once again; cops, clergy, and coaches.
Not a drag queen in sight...
Trueblue1968
(19,359 posts)7. Couldnt happen to a better person !!!! Remember what old melania says ...... Be best.
Make him do hard labor.
Norrrm
(6,070 posts)8. Smile for the camera, MAGA pastor.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/abuse-of-faith/
The Southern Baptist Convention declined to keep a list of key church officials and volunteers convicted of sex abuse crimes. The Houston Chronicle found 263 such offenders during the past 20 years in 30 states and Washington D.C. This list is current as of June 2019.
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Sourced list of Republican child sex predators (FULL list of sources, details, explanation)
https://imgur.com/a/sourced-list-of-republican-child-predators-full-list-of-sources-details-explanation-c86Icc4
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Why are right wingers and the religious right so dead set against gays, trans, and others? --- Misdirection.

The Southern Baptist Convention declined to keep a list of key church officials and volunteers convicted of sex abuse crimes. The Houston Chronicle found 263 such offenders during the past 20 years in 30 states and Washington D.C. This list is current as of June 2019.
--------------------------------------------------
Sourced list of Republican child sex predators (FULL list of sources, details, explanation)
https://imgur.com/a/sourced-list-of-republican-child-predators-full-list-of-sources-details-explanation-c86Icc4
---------------------------------------------------------
Why are right wingers and the religious right so dead set against gays, trans, and others? --- Misdirection.

Initech
(109,618 posts)9. MAGA pastors and megachurches harm kids.
Coventina
(30,027 posts)10. There's seldom only one victim: Someone needs to talk to his daughter.
Oh yeah, and he's not a drag queen!!!
EnergizedLib
(3,215 posts)11. Please do every day of those 15 years
And if this lowlife gets a pardon .