Minister sentenced for having sex with teen student
ELKHORN
A former youth minister at Grace Church in Burlington was sentenced to three years in prison for having sex with a high school-aged student of his.
Scott A. Hoppe, 33, of Woodstock, Ill., had a sexual relationship with the girl, now 20, for more than two years.
He was charged with multiple counts of child enticement sexual intercourse with a child, exposing genitalia to a child and causing a child to view sexual activity. Hoppe, who will register as a sex offender, pleaded to felony child enticement and misdemeanor sex with a child who was at least 16 years old.
Similar charges are still pending in Racine County.
Hoppe knew the girl since she was 11 and started paying special attention to her when she was 14, the girl said at his sentencing hearing Thursday. The sex started when she was about 16 and continued until she left for college.
They hid their relationship for years from family and Hoppe’s wife and children. He abused her at the church, in the classroom and at the girl’s home in Walworth County.
The girl said Hoppe manipulated and exploited her by abusing his position of trust as her minister and mentor.
“I am finally able to see through his disguise,” the girl said. “I can see through his lies and manipulations that ruined my life. What I see now disgusts me.”
Jan 4, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
As the father of the victim in this case, thank you to the Gazette for getting the story right.
Jan 4, 2008 at 10:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
I don't see anything slanted in this article. It was all factual and quotes presented were from people directly involved.
Jan 4, 2008 at 10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
The court heard both sides of the story and decided that Hoppe is guilty. That's how our justice system works, and the Gazette accurately reports its decisions. If Hoppe had been found not guilty, our story would have been much different.
Scott Angus
Editor
Jan 4, 2008 at 9:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Did you ever think to write any of the other side of the story? Or even think to ask? You guys are all alike. That's why I don't read the paper anymore. Trash and all one-sided. You automatically take the word of the accuser without all of the facts.
Jan 4, 2008 at 8:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
*sigh*
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.