DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said his office will challenge the sentence given to a former youth pastor who pleaded guilty to sexual battery of a minor.

During an Oct. 14 press conference, Barton said his office determined through research that Lindsey Whiteside's sentence of three years under house arrest and seven years of probation was not a viable one.

"It is in fact an improper, illegal sentence," Barton said. "Someone that commits sexual battery while in a position of trust and authority is not eligible for house arrest, and that's clearly enumerated in our law."

Prosecutors sought the maximum 30-year sentence for Whiteside, who was sentenced Oct. 13 by Judge Andrew Howorth. Howorth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Barton previously said the

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