SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) — A former Sparta pastor accused of sex crimes has been bound over for trial after a preliminary hearing.
Appearing in Monroe County Court Wednesday, 46-year-old Travis Becknell pleaded not guilty to one count of felony sexual exploitation by a therapist and one count of misdemeanor fourth-degree sexual assault.
The judge denied a defense motion to dismiss the charges and bound Becknell over for trial.
Becknell was pastor of New Hope Fellowship Church in Sparta, which has now closed.
According to the criminal complaint, he allegedly groped a female congregation member during a private counseling session in 2021.
Becknell is out on a $25,000 signature bond.
His next court date is November 18.
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