Former pastor pleads no contest to charges

Scott Martin Weisser, the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Salt Lake, has pleaded no contest to two criminal charges against him and has been put on probation.

Weisser, 52, originally was charged with first-degree felony attempted rape and class B misdemeanor assault in connection with a March 16 incident involving an adult female in his Midvale home.

Weisser on May 1 pleaded no contest to reduced charges of sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor, and simple assault, a class B misdemeanor.

Third District Judge Stephen Roth sentenced Weisser to 365 days in jail but suspended 335 days of the jail time and also gave Weisser credit for 30 days already served.

The judge put Weisser on probation for 18 months, ordered a substance abuse evaluation and treatment if needed, ruled that a protective order that was in place still be observed, and that Weisser complete a 16-week domestic violence course.

Weisser has resigned as the church's pastor.

Court documents state the woman was in the house when Weisser "began forcibly kissing her and attempting to have intercourse with her," despite her objections. Weisser "dragged her into the door jamb," which produced slight abrasions, according to the documents.