Former Spirit Lake Pastor arrested on assault charges

A former Spirit Lake pastor faces a charge of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse following an investigation involving possible contact with a 15-year-old Spirit Lake girl.

Paul Rekward was taken into custody on an arrest warrant on Friday, Jan. 20, at his Spirit Lake home. The arresting officer, Scott Colt of the Spirit Lake Police Department charged the 50-year-old after the teenager's family approached authorities with information regarding an incident at 7:40 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, in the 1200 block of Ithaca Avenue.

Rekward was recently employed as a pastor at Spirit Lake United Methodist Church. He was not with the church at the time the alleged incident took place.

He was released on a $2,000 bond Friday, Jan. 20, and was ordered by District Court Judge David Lester not to contact the 15-year-old girl.

Rekward's court process begins with a 9 a.m. appearance Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Dickinson County Courthouse.

Assault with intent to commit sexual abuse is an aggravated misdemeanor and is punishable up to two years of imprisonment or up to one year in jail and a fine up to $6,250.