BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Former pastor fired 3 years after alleged abuse

A former youth pastor made his first appearance Wednesday in Steele County District Court, where he’s been accused of having a relationship with a minor who was part of his youth group.
Sean Patrick Masopust, 32, of Owatonna, is charged with one felony count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Conditional bail was set at $5,000; a settlement conference has been set for April 21.
According to the criminal complaint, Masopust initiated a sexual relationship with a girl who worked at the daycare in the church basement – and was also a student youth leader under the direction of Masopust and his wife, who is listed as a “staff member” on the church’s website.
Her mother and father are the ministers of the church where the alleged abuse occurred from August through October of 2018, and included nude photos and a video of Masopust masturbating, as well as “aggressive” kissing and groping of her breasts and genitals, the complaint says.
The girl told authorities she looked up to Masopust for such a long time and “it felt weird to say no,” the report said, and she indicated Masopust was her pastor when she was in elementary school.
The incidents stopped in October, when Masopust’s wife found messages on his phone. According to a message he sent the girl, he was in Kansas because his father-in-law “sent him there to take some time off.”
Nothing further happened until October 2021, when Masopust’s wife called the girl and asked her to come to church. That’s when the alleged victim met with two men from Minnesota Assemblies of God, and shared her story.
The allegations came to light in December, when a member of the “regional counsel” for the church went to Owatonna police to report “an inappropriate relationship.” The man told authorities Masopust “admitted to some of the conduct” and was fired.
The girl’s mother said the church never told her anything about the alleged abuse.
The Times will have more on this developing story in next week’s print edition.