A former youth pastor from East Brady, who was sentenced only weeks ago for inappropriately touching a teenaged girl, is asking to be released from jail so that he may continue his mental health treatment.

David Pesci, 25, allegedly kissed and fondled the girl, who was a member of his youth group at the East Brady First Baptist Church, on three occasions.

The teen alleged Pesci kissed her at a church sleepover in early 2014 at his home, which at that time was the church parsonage.

The two kissed on at least two other occasions the teen told police, according to court documents. And the teenager accused Pesci of touching her in a sexual manner in August at the East Brady Park.

As part of a plea agreement, Pesci pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors. Additional charges, including felony counts of sexual assault by volunteer, were dropped.

Pesci was sentenced on May 4 by Clarion County Judge James G. Arner to the terms of the arrangement: 60 days to 24 months in prison.

He is serving that sentence in the Clarion County Jail.

On Monday, Pesci's defense attorney Al Lindsay filed a request with the court asking that his client be released to serve the balance of the minimum sentence on house arrest with electronic monitoring.

According to the request, Pesci has been diagnosed with “major depressive disorder with anxious distress and borderline personality disorder.”

Pesci has been undergoing treatment for those mental health issues as well as intensive outpatient program for people with mood and anxiety disorders, According to a letter from a worker with one of the programs at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh it is recommended Pesci complete the treatment.

The request alleges that since the inception of the criminal case last fall Pesci has “essentially been on house arrest as he had been living with his parents, under strict supervision ...”

Lindsay declined to comment, and the Clarion County District Attorney's Office did not return telephone messages.

Shortly after Pesci's arrest in this case, the East Brady Baptist Church released a statement saying Pesci has already resigned from his position there months earlier.