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Sunday, March 23, 2008                                                                                       View Comments

Pastor charged with attempted sex assault

Scott Martin Weisser, who is listed as pastor of First Baptist Church of Salt Lake on its Web site, has been charged with trying to sexually assault a woman in his Midvale home despite her repeated refusals.

Weisser reportedly resigned as pastor of the church. A message left with the church office's voice mail was not returned Friday.

Weisser, 52, is facing charges of first-degree felony attempted rape and class B misdemeanor assault in connection with the March 16 incident.

Third District Judge Royal Hansen on Friday deemed Weisser indigent, appointed a legal defender to represent him and issued a no-contact order for any victims, witnesses and/or co-defendants in the case.

The judge also asked for an evaluation from pretrial services before Weisser is released from jail. Bail has been set at $150,000.

Weisser entered a not guilty plea, and a roll call hearing was set for April 3.

Court documents state that a female was in a bedroom of the house, Weisser entered it and "began forcibly kissing her and attempting to have intercourse with her."

The woman repeatedly told him no and fought with him, the document said. While the woman was trying to get out of the room, Weisser "dragged her into the door jamb," which left slight abrasions, according to the court document.

The document said Weisser stated "that it was his intention to have sexual intercourse" with the woman.

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