Pastor on parole for separate crime sentenced for online solicitation
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Montgomery County judge sentenced a pastor to 25 years in prison for soliciting who he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex.
Jeremiah Landon Busby, 39, pleaded guilty for the felony charge on Feb. 1. He was on parole for an 80-year sentence for possession of a controlled substance. He had also previously been to prison for murder, a news release said.
On Nov. 2, 2015, an investigator was online, conducting undercover operations. While monitoring the undercover profile of the 14-year-old, the detective received several messages from Busby, according to the district attorney's office.
The messages included "Are you sexually active?", "How many guys have you been with?", and "Do you give oral sex?", a news release said.
He asked for photos of the girl and made arrangements for the two to have sex.
When Busby arrived at the meeting location, he was arrested.
Busby's arrest was one of 27 during the sting.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Montgomery Co. internet crimes against children sting nets 27 arrests
Busby is the founder and CEO of Phoenx Ministries. Online videos show him talking about a number of charitable foundations.
"These predators come in all shapes and sizes," said Tyler Dunman, a special bureau division chief with the Montgomery County district attorney's office. "Ironically, Pastor Busby was participating in our Montgomery County Coalition Against Human Trafficking and had attended several meetings. He represents the scariest type of sexual predator, the wolf in sheep's clothing. Because of the great work of our ICAC team, he is back in prison where he belongs."
