Former Canton pastor charged with sexual contact with a minor

A former South Dakota pastor has been arrested in Florida on charges he had sex with a minor while he was employed by a Canton church.

Tony Haglund was indicted Monday by a Lincoln County grand jury on three counts of sexual penetration by a psychotherapist, sexual contact with a child under 16 and sexual contact by a psychotherapist.

The contact allegedly occurred between January 2011 and December 2013, part of which time he was a pastor at Canton Lutheran Church.

Haglund was arrested Monday afternoon in Sumter County, Fla., where he works as a real estate agent, according to an online listing.

According to court paperwork, the victim — a girl — was 15 when the earliest sexual contact took place.

David Zellmer, bishop of the ELCA South Dakota Synod, confirmed Haglund used to be a pastor at the Canton church. He said Haglund served as an ELCA pastor until the Synod became aware of his sexual misconduct.

The Synod requested Haglund's resignation immediately after the allegations arose, Zellner said. Haglund resigned on Sept. 15, 2013.

Zellmer said the victim attended the church.

"The South Dakota Synod and the ELCA do not tolerate inappropriate sexual behavior of any kind by member of the clergy," Zellmer said in a statement. "ELCA congregations seek to be safe and welcoming places for all who attend and worship. Please keep all those affected by this tragic situation in your prayers, especially the victims of sexual misconduct and their families, as well as the congregations where Anthony Haglund previously served, and the Haglund family."

Haglund was awaiting extradition to South Dakota and was being held on a $500,000 cash-only warrant in Bushnell, Fla., according to Keisha Foster, a corrections officer at Sumter County Detention Center.

If Haglund waives extradition in Florida, Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson said he hopes to have him back in Lincoln County in 10 days. Haglund faces up to 40 years behind bars.

Tim Thies, current pastor of the Canton Lutheran Church, said the church has no comment to make on the charges.