Former Canton Pastor Tony Haglund Accused of Child Sex Crimes

CANTON, S.D. (AP) A former pastor at a Canton church is accused of having sex with a minor while working there.

A federal grand jury in Lincoln County on Monday indicted Tony Haglund on three sex crime counts. The Argus Leader reports he was arrested in Florida's Sumter County, where he works as a real estate agent.

A woman who answered Haglund's phone told The Associated Press he had no comment.

Authorities allege Haglund had sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl while a pastor at Canton Lutheran Church.

David Zellmer is bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America South Dakota Synod. He tells the Argus Leader that the synod asked Haglund to resign when the allegations arose. Haglund resigned about a year ago.

Haglund could face 40 years in prison if convicted.

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