(ANGOLA) - A former Orland church pastor has begun serving a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple counts of child molestation.
According to reporting by the Herald Republican, Rodger Daily Strong, 70, was sentenced to four consecutive 10-year terms after pleading guilty to four counts of Level 4 felony child molestation involving a child under the age of 14. The victim was 5 years old at the time of the offenses.
Court records show Strong entered the guilty pleas in November as part of a plea agreement that dismissed original Level 1 felony charges, which could have carried up to 40 years per count. His two-day trial had been scheduled to begin in January.
Strong was transferred to the Indiana Department of Correction the day of sentencing and is serving his sentence at the state prison in Michigan City. He received credit for 233 days already served, along with 78 days for good behavior. His earliest possible release date is June 28, 2059 -- after his 104th birthday.
Investigators said the charges stemmed from incidents that occurred between January and May of 2024.
The victim's parents confronted Strong and recorded a conversation in which he claimed the contact was accidental.
That recording was later turned over to Indiana State Police.
During a formal interview with investigators, Strong initially denied the allegations before admitting to touching the child multiple times over several months, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Strong served as pastor of the Orland Nazarene Church for four decades. He was arrested one day after retiring. Following his arrest, the church closed and the property was later acquired by the Town of Orland.
Strong will spend the remainder of his sentence in state custody unless granted release at a later date.