Nevada Pastor Accuses of Sexual Assault with ‘God Daughters’ Accepts Plea Deal

Pastor Bobby Smith, who leads New Beginnings Ministries Church of God in Christ in Las Vegas, has accepted a plea deal related to allegations of sexual assault and child abuse. The pastor, 46, and his wife, LaShawn Nicole Smith, were formally charged after one of their three alleged victims reported them to police in August 2022. The women alleged that their pastor and his wife took advantage of them when they were teenagers.

Smith entered an Alford plea, which allows a defendant to formally admit guilt for charges while maintaining innocence. Court documents indicate that Smith acknowledged there was likely enough evidence to secure a conviction if he had gone to trial. As part of the plea deal, he will be sentenced on one count of misdemeanor conspiracy to commit a crime and one count of misdemeanor gross lewdness. He will also need to complete probation and surrender all electronic devices and equipment seized during the investigation.

The alleged misconduct reportedly began when Smith pressured a family member, who was 17 at the time, into using sex toys multiple times. He allegedly told her, “God is telling me that it is important for you to do this.” The family member, now an adult, said she eventually told LaShawn Smith about the pastor’s actions but never reported him to the police.

Another woman alleged that while she was a member of the church, the pastor blocked a stairway, dropped his pants, and begged her for oral sex. She said she pushed him away out of fear. A third woman reported that the pastor initiated contact with her when she was 17. About a year after her family joined the church, he texted her a photo of a sex toy and then engaged in further inappropriate behavior.

The case highlights the serious nature of the allegations and the legal consequences faced by the pastor. The plea deal avoids a full trial but does not absolve him of the charges. The situation underscores the importance of accountability and the need for justice, reflecting the biblical call to protect the vulnerable and seek truth.

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