CFC Sex Scandal

The former youth minister and principal of a school associated with Christian Family Church in Owatonna is expected to plead guilty in the criminal sexual conduct case against him.

Luverne Daniel Zacharias, 46, of Medford, entered into a plea agreement last week.

In it, Zacharias agrees to plead guilty to one of the six felony counts against him; in exchange, the remaining counts will be dismissed.

The plea hearing is set for Thursday, where he is expected to admit to one count of second-degree CSC, victim 13-15, position of authority.

The prosecution will ask that Zacharias serve 364 days in jail, and receive a five-year stay of execution for any prison time. He must complete a psycho-sexual evaluation and follow any recommendations, as well as remain law-abiding and have no contact with his victim and another former student he allegedly propositioned.

Zacharias was charged in February with one count each of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and two counts each of third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, all felonies.

His victim was a former student at El Shaddai School, who reported the abuse occurred “almost daily” from 2007-2009.