American pastor gets 60 years in prison for child sex abuse

A former Las Vegas-area church pastor has been sentenced to at least 60 years in state prison for sexually assaulting three young girls in his congregation before fleeing to Mexico.

A former Las Vegas-area church pastor has been sentenced to at least 60 years in state prison for sexually assaulting three young girls in his congregation before fleeing to Mexico.

This undated file photo shows Otis Holland, a former Las Vegas-area church pastor who fled to Mexico after sexually assaulting three young girls. (AP File Photo)

A judge sentenced Otis Holland on Wednesday to 15 life terms. He will serve at least 60 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Holland was known to his United Faith Church congregation as ‘Reverend Otis’, and became a fugitive after he fled to Mexico following his initial arrest in December 2010.

Holland was convicted in January of child sexual assault and lewdness, conspiracy to destroy evidence and bribing a witness.

Defense lawyer John Parris says Holland will appeal his conviction and the sentence.

Holland faces similar charges in a separate case in a neighbouring city involving five other alleged victims.