Ex-youth pastor from Willis gets life for sexually abusing child

Dell Ivan Godkin was convicted on Aug. 11, 2016, of sexually assaulting a child. A jury in Montgomery County, Texas, sentenced him to life in prison; he will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years. Courtesy of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office less Dell Ivan Godkin was convicted on Aug. 11, 2016, of sexually assaulting a child. A jury in Montgomery County, Texas, sentenced him to life in prison; he will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years. ... more Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Ex-youth pastor from Willis gets life for sexually abusing child 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

A onetime volunteer youth pastor from Willis won't be eligible for parole until 2046 after he was given a life sentence for his recent conviction on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Dell Ivan Godkin, 48, was convicted Aug. 11 by a Montgomery County jury, prosecutors said in a news release this week.

The victim — whom prosecutors say was a relative — told the jurors that the abuse began when she was 13 and continued until shortly before her 17th birthday, when they "made a deal" that he would stop abusing her if she would not tell anyone.

"He would say lots of things about God being OK with it," prosecutor Monica Cooper said. He would use Bible verses about men's and women's roles to justify the abuse.

The victim testified against the man in court, Cooper said, as did another alleged victim who is part of a pending case against Godkin in Liberty County.

"We don't know of any other victims at this time," Cooper said, adding that if anyone else were abused, they should contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Cooper said the victim described herself as "one of those people that tries to hold it all in to save everyone else her pain" and instead writing unsent letters. In court, the victim read aloud a letter she had written at the time of the abuse.

"We are very proud of the victims in this case," said lead prosecutor Sheri Culberson. "It takes a lot of courage to face your abuser during a trial like this. But, ultimately, the community is a safer place because of their courage and bravery."

The Chronicle does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Cooper said members of Godkin's family and church testified that he was a good Christian whom they could not believe had assaulted a child.

"People were shocked when they heard that that's how he controlled both of his victims (by quoting Scripture)," Cooper said. "He's the scariest kind of child predator because he's the kind that is sitting next to you in church, and he seems like the nicest guy."

According to prosecutors, Godkin's ex-wife testified during the punishment phase of the trial that he beat her repeatedly during their 12-year marriage.

"One of the assaults occurred after she had gone to their pastor at church seeking help," according to a news release from the district attorney's office. "By the time she arrived home, Godkin knew she had spoken to the pastor and beat her because of it."

Godkin's lawyers, Douglas Atkinson and Jed Silverman, did not return phone calls seeking comment.

andrew.kragie@chron.com