Update: Former pastor sentenced to two years for arranging lewd acts with a minor
Update posted Feb. 22
–On Wednesday, former pastor, 53-year-old Nathan George Rieger, was sentenced to two years confinement in state prison. Rieger was found guilty by a San Luis Obispo County jury in December, for arranging to meet a 15-year-old girl for lewd purposes, including intent to engage in sex acts. The Arroyo Grande Police Department arrested Rieger when he arrived at the pre-arranged meeting place in August of last year.
The Canadian citizen must serve his sentence in a California state prison. Additionally, pursuant to California law, Rieger is now required to register as a sex offender. A treaty between Canada and the USA allows Rieger to petition to serve his time in Canada, after beginning his sentence in California.
The case was investigated by the Arroyo Grande Police Department with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Julie Antos.
Original story posted Dec. 15, 2018
Former pastor convicted of meeting teen for lewd purposes
–On Dec. 14, a San Luis Obispo County jury found former Canadian pastor Nathan Rieger guilty of arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes. Rieger was arrested on Aug. 10, 2018 by the Arroyo Grande Police Department after he arranged to meet with what he believed to be a 15-year-old female for lewd purposes, including engaging in sex acts.
Today, a San Luis Obispo County jury has found Mr. Nathan Rieger guilty of arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes, a felony.
Nathan G. Rieger, a 53-year-old Canadian citizen and former pastor, was arrested on Aug. 10, for arranging to meet with what he believed to be a 15-year-old female for lewd purposes, including engaging in sex acts. The Arroyo Grande police department arrested Rieger when he arrived at the meeting.
The jury convicted Mr. Rieger after a week-long trial and a half day of deliberation.
The sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2018, in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, the Honorable Jacqueline Duffy presiding. Rieger faces up to four years in state prison for the conviction.
A copy of the Information (charging document) can be found here. The case was investigated by the Arroyo Grande Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Julie Antos.
