Youth Leader Sentenced To State Prison

Sonora, CA — A former Youth Leader at a Sonora Church has been sentenced to six years in state prison for having unlawful intercourse with a minor.

The Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office reports that 29-year-old Ember Schlensker was convicted of 27 felony counts of having unlawful intercourse with a minor between 2009 to 2012. The victim was 14 when the acts began. The victim was involved in the Youth Group at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, which Schlensker oversaw. Schlensker was terminated from St. Matthews in 2012 and had moved away. The victim later revealed the relationship to his mother, and she in turn contacted authorities.

Schlensker’s trial had lasted three weeks, and the DA’s Office reports she was recently sentenced to six years in state prison. She will be required to register as a sex offender. She was released by the court on bond pending appeal.