Former mid-Missouri pastor pleads guilty to child sex crimes as part of deal

A former mid-Missouri pastor accused of child sex crimes has pleaded guilty to charges against him in three different cases.

Moniteau County officials said Smith was sentenced to four years in prison after entering the plea Tuesday.

Smith is a former Stover pastor and was charged with statutory rape and sodomy for a 2005 incident with a 16-year-old girl.

According to court documents, Smith and the teenage girl met through the First Baptist Church in Stover where Smith was the pastor.

The first trial for Travis Smith started December 7. The judge declared a mistrial in the case.

The new trial was held in Laclede County on a change of venue and started Monday.

Moniteau County officials tells ABC 17 News the jury deliberated for a considerable time Tuesday before sending a question to the judge indicating they were deadlocked at 10 guilty and 2 not guilty.

Officials said the judge instructed the jury to continue deliberating. During that time, negotiations apparently opened up and an agreement was made resulting in Smith entering guilty pleas in all three cases against him.

This was just one of three pending cases against Smith.

Moniteau County officials said after Smith entered his plea, he was sentenced to four years in the department of corrections on each case. He will serve the sentences concurrently.

Officials said Smith will be required to complete the sex offender program before being considered for parole. He was also apparently remanded into custody of the Laclede County sheriff Tuesday night for transport to the department of corrections.

When Smith is released from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender for life.