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Pastor gets probation, community service

JANESVILLE — A pastor convicted by a jury of obstructing an officer was sentenced Tuesday to a year of probation and 100 hours of community service.

David J. Fogderud, 66, of 3545 S. Riverside Drive, Beloit, was arrested in August 2007 on suspicion of not cooperating with officers questioned him about an attempted kidnapping report in Janesville.

Fogderud, the founder of The Overflowing Cup Total Life Center in Beloit, saw two boys at Burger King, 400 W. Centerway, and invited them to a Christian rock concert, attorneys said.

The boys were scared, attorneys said, and they reported an attempted kidnapping.

Meanwhile, Fogderud left in his vehicle, and he was later pulled over at Centerway and Main Street, attorneys said.

The police stopped Fogderud to question him about an attempted abduction, but he wouldn't cooperate or answer questions, assistant district attorney Mary Bricco said.

"The defendant does not respect the criminal justice system," she said. "The defendant doesn't like living by other people's rules."

Fogderud's attorney, Jeffrey Livingston, said the traffic stop was a misunderstanding on both sides.

Fogderud didn't know he was under investigation for attempted kidnapping, Livingston said, and the police didn't know he merely attempted to invite the teens to a concert.

The police were aggressive and never explained the traffic stop, Livingston said at a previous court hearing.

In court Tuesday, Fogderud said he respects police.

"I was raised by Godly parents to respect authority," Fogderud said. "I do not believe I am above the law."

Rock County Judge James Daley said Fogderud should have cooperated with police.

Fogderud might never have been charged with a crime if he had cleared up the attempted kidnapping misunderstanding right away.

"You showed less than good judgment," Daley said. "You're here because of what you did and your choice of conduct."