GASTONIA — A former youth pastor and teacher has accepted a plea deal on a sex charge in Gaston County.

Brandon James Carter, 34, pleaded guilty to taking indecent liberties with a child and kidnapping Wednesday. He was sentenced to less than two years in prison. He will be on probation for three years and must register as a sex offender.

Carter was arrested last March. He was youth and music minister at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cherryville at the time.

Prosecutors say the crime involving a 13-year-old girl occurred at a home in Lincoln County in 2004.

The now 21-year-old woman said she had to come forward to protect other teens.

Carter previously taught at East Lincoln Middle and East Lincoln High schools.