Alabama pastor sentenced to 1,008 years in prison for sex abuse

GADSDEN, Ala. (WHNT) -- An Alabama youth evangelist was sentenced Friday to 1,008 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple child-sex charges, and ordered to pay $840,000 in fines for all counts.

Al.com reports that a judge handed down the maximum sentence on every count to Paul Edward Acton Bowen. Bowen had pleaded guilty in Etowah County to 28 counts involving six boys between the ages of 13 and 16.

The 39-year-old Bowen faced charges that include sexual abuse, sodomy, enticing a child for sex, and traveling to meet a child for sexual abuse. He still faces other charges in the Birmingham area.

He had previously pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disorder.

Bowen was arrested on sex abuse charges last year. Authorities say additional victims came forward after he was in jail.

Bowen was a Christian minister who wrote books, ran his own youth ministry, and traveled to speak at youth events.

Bowen pleaded guilty as his first trial was set to begin.