Ex-pastor sentenced for molestation
JONESBORO, Ill. - A 76-year-old former southern Illinois pastor has been ordered committed to state custody for 51 years for molesting a 4-year-old child in 2010.
Bill Vandergraph of Alto Pass on Friday was placed into the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services, sparing him possible prison time.
Vandergraph was sentenced on two felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.
Vandergraph last year was found mentally unfit to stand trial.
His confinement will be re-evaluated every six months to determine if it should continue.
Vandergraph once guided fundraising efforts to restore the Bald Knob Cross of Peace, a towering tourist attraction near Alto Pass.
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.