A former pastor and grade school athletic director has entered an open guilty plea in Jefferson County Court to one of two child grooming charges pending against him. 28-year-old Garrett Biggerstaff of McLeansboro is scheduled for sentencing on October 19th.
The investigation began by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in 2022 after Benton Police received a complaint from a juvenile girl about being the victim of sexual exploitation. After a search warrant was executed at Biggerstaff’s home, information reportedly surfaced that led to an alleged second victim. The information was turned over to the Jefferson County State’s Attorney who filed the charges in January.
Biggerstaff formerly served as the pastor of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in rural Fairfield and athletic director of the Spring Garden Consolidated Community School District. Biggerstaff was removed from the church and left his position at the school as information about the allegations spread.
Biggerstaff was in court Monday for a final pre-trial hearing when he entered the open plea agreement. His case was scheduled for jury trial on September 18th.
