Pastor Sentenced for Exposing Himself

A former pastor for the Church of God of Prophecy was sentenced on Monday to serve 90 days in jail for exposing himself on a Web camera to an undercover police officer who was posing as a minor last year.

William J. Blanscet, 68, was charged in May with four counts of third-degree felony dealing in material harmful to a minor, each punishable by up to five years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree felony dealing in material harmful to a minor in January.

Third District Judge Robin Reese on Monday sentenced him to serve 90 days in jail.

According to court documents, Blanscet was online in a chat room when he began to ask sexually explicit questions to an investigator with the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force who was posing as a young girl.

During other online conversations, Blanscet showed his genitals and would masturbate in front of a Web camera, according to charges. One incident where Blanscet exposed himself occurred while he used the Internet while visiting his wife in the hospital, charges state.

Blanscet resigned from the Salt Lake City church in May, a week before charges were filed.