New plea agreement reached in pastor's bigamy case

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A plea agreement for a pastor charged with bigamy has been modified to meet the wishes of the pastor's former wife.

Melvin Lynn Silas, who oversees a church in Bellflower, had previously agreed to serve 120 days in jail for marrying a woman in 2008 while still legally married to his estranged wife.

But a judge rejected the agreement last month after Silas' previous wife said she believed the former Upland resident should be sent to prison.

Silas' new agreement still carries 120 days in jail -- which the 55-year-old can serve on weekends -- and three years of probation.

But if he violates the terms of his probation, Silas could be sentenced to two years in prison, said Deputy District Attorney Theodore J. Smith III.

Silas' former wife said she was satisfied with the agreement Friday when Silas pleaded no contest to a felony bigamy charge, Smith said. Silas is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 2 in West Valley Superior Court.