COUSHATTA — A former church minister was sentenced on Feb. 12 after pleading guilty to one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

The Red River Parish Journal reports that Michael Ross McGrath entered the guilty plea in district court following his 2024 arrest.

McGrath was arrested Feb. 26, 2024, by the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office on seven counts of molestation of a juvenile.

The Honorable Luke Mitchell sentenced McGrath to seven years at hard labor with the Louisiana Department of Corrections. The sentence was suspended, and McGrath was placed on three years of supervised probation.

As part of his probation, McGrath must pay a $5,000 fine and court costs, complete 32 hours of court-approved community service, register as a sex offender, comply with all laws and pay a $50 monthly supervision fee.

McGrath previously served as a minister to children and students in Coushatta at First Baptist Church Coushatta and Open Door Fellowship. He later served as associate pastor of families and college students at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches.

Under the terms outlined in court, McGrath may be around his biological family and attend his children’s school activities, subject to approval from the appropriate school superintendent.