LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a Lubbock pastor has pleaded guilty to attempted possession of child pornography for sending a lewd video of himself to someone he believed was a teenager in Louisiana.
In a statement, prosecutors say Dean Richard Tarkington entered his plea Thursday in a Lubbock federal court.
No sentencing date's been set. Tarkington faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.
Authorities say Tarkington contacted an undercover Louisiana State Police officer posing as a teenager in an Internet chat room in early December. Prosecutors say he sent her a lewd video shot with a church computer webcam, then asked for one from the officer.
A search of his computer led to the video.
Tarkington served as pastor at the Word of Faith Christian Center, which has closed.
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