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R.C. Sproul Jr. leaves Ligonier Ministries following DUI arrest with minor passenger

Kaye Garcia December 20, 2016 11:23 AM EST

Ashley Madison\'s website is demonstrated on a tablet computer. | Reuters/Bobby Yip

Christian minister Robert Charles Sproul Jr., also known as R.C. Sproul Jr., resigned with Florida-based Ligonier Ministries on Dec. 9, but as it turned out, he was arrested several days prior for driving under the influence (DUI) and endangering the life of a minor.

Papers from the Indiana court system indicate that the pastor was charged with four offenses. These include operating a vehicle with alcohol concentration of at least .15 and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and, in the process, endangering a person. Sanctions for both charges include 365 days prison time, one-year probation, and suspension of driver's license for up to two years.

He was charged with DUI with a minor, which Indiana laws penalize with six months to three years of imprisonment and fines reaching $10,000. Sproul Jr. was also charged with neglect of a dependent to the point that the dependent's life was put in danger.

According to court documents, Sproul's camp issued a bond of $5,000 on Dec. 7, during which an initial hearing of the case was also carried out.

Sproul Jr. made headlines last year for publicly admitting that he visited the matchmaking adultery website Ashley Madison. Christianity Today reports that in his now canceled blog site, the minister confessed that he checked out the controversial website to "fan the flames of my imagination." He asserted, however, that the virtual trip to Ashley Madison did not result in any relationship with any of the website's clients.

Last Dec. 12, Ligonier Ministries announced that Sproul J.r. has tendered his resignation due to "personal reasons." A statement on the organization's website reads: "Last Friday, the board of directors of Ligonier Ministries and Reformation Bible College received and affirmed the resignation of Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. He is stepping away from his duties at the ministry and the college for personal reasons. This was communicated by phone to his father, Dr. R.C. Sproul, the founder of Ligonier Ministries and chancellor of Reformation Bible College, and it was later communicated in writing to the entire board of directors of Ligonier Ministries."

The statement made no mention of the arrest.

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