Robert Enersen, 54, accepts deal for 18 years in prison for 1996 molestation. By Jason Geary The Ledger
BARTOW -- A former Wahneta evangelist pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing a 6-year-old Polk County boy in 1996.
With his trial looming Monday, Robert Enersen, 54, accepted a deal with prosecutors.
Enersen pleaded guilty to three counts of lewd molestation in exchange for 18 years in prison and 10 years' sex-offender probation. Enersen also would be declared a sexual predator.
Judge Roger Alcott scheduled sentencing for Aug. 19.
In December, Enersen was arrested in Arizona after the Polk County boy, now 15, told sheriff's detectives about the abuse. The boy told detectives that he was molested multiple times in late 1996.
At that time, Enersen was serving about two months as an evangelist at New Life Assembly of God in Wahneta.
"It just blew us away," said Sonja Farrer, the church's business administrator. "We could not believe that it happened."
Enersen was extradited Jan. 16 to Florida. While in custody, Enersen wrote a five-page letter to his wife about being a "monster" that preyed on children.
"The only time I was free from my thoughts was when I ministered, but even then for the last little while there has been no anointing on my life," Enersen wrote in the letter.
"God could no longer tolerate my life, and I knew it."
Enersen served two years as pastor at First Assembly of God in Douglas, Ariz., court records state.
During a Dec. 27 interview, Douglas Police Department detectives reported that Enersen spoke about abusing two other children in North Carolina and Michigan.
Local prosecutors say North Carolina authorities have been waiting until the conclusion of the Polk County case before deciding whether to file charges against Enersen.
"Apparently, a final decision will rely on the outcome of this case," said Chip Thullbery, administrative assistant state attorney.
