UPDATED::Pastor charged with criminal sexual conduct with parishioner | kare11.com

UPDATE::  Former Pastor Gets Probation For Relationship with Parishioner

A former pastor in Avon who pleaded guilty to having an illegal relationship with a parishioner has been sentenced to two years of supervised probation.

Back in August, 50-year-old Charles Pelkey pleaded guilty to one count of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, Avon Police contacted them about a sexual assault investigation where they had a conflict of interest. Avon's Police got a tip from a parishioner of the Avon Community Church that Pelkey was having a sexual relationship with a parishioner while providing her counseling.

Read More: Former Pastor Gets Probation For Relationship with Parishioner | https://wjon.com/former-pastor-gets-probation-for-relationship-with-parishioner/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral


A central Minnesota pastor is charged with criminal sexual conduct for allegedly having sex with a parishioner he was counseling.

Charles Norman Pelky, age 49, is pastor of the Avon Community Church. Avon Police received information from a church member on July 11 that Pelky was having a sexual relationship with another parishioner during what were supposed to be ongoing counseling sessions. Avon Police turned the case over to the Stearns County Sheriff's department citing a conflict of interest, as Pelkey was at that time Chaplain for the Avon P.D.
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Minnesota Law prohibits a member of the clergy from engaging in a sexual act during the course of a meeting (one time, or ongoing) with a victim seeking or receiving religious or spiritual advice, aid, or comfort from the suspect in private.

Consent is not a defense.

Pastor charged with criminal sexual conduct with parishioner | kare11.com

UPDATED::New trial date set for pop star accused of inappropriate relationship with minor | News | fauquier.com

UPDATE::  Former youth pastor sentenced for indecent liberties with a minor 

Jordan Baird, a former youth pastor and aspiring pop star, was sentenced to three years in prison Monday on two counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor while in a supervisory position.

It's the second conviction for Baird, 28, who already served a five-month jail sentence after a 2018 conviction in a similar case.

Baird was indicted last summer on the new charges related to a 2014 incident and pleaded guilty in February. He faced up to five years in prison on each count.

UPDATE:: Manassas youth pastor to plead guilty in child sex abuse case, prosecutors say

Baird had been charged with two counts of indecent liberty with a child by a custodian, both felonies that carry a maximum of five years in prison.

Baird was later re-arrested, accused of abusing a second teen in that same timeframe. That trial was scheduled to begin on Monday. The young woman's family is also suing Life Church for $21 million.

The church did not go to the police when initial accusations against Baird came to light.

A church spokeswoman says it’s because they were unaware of any physical contact. But others believe it was an effort to protect Baird, who’s the son of the head pastor.

UPDATE::  Megachurch youth leader sentenced to eight months for sexual relationship with minor

A former youth leader of a Manassas megachurch who was convicted of having a sexual relationship with an underage girl in his congregation was sentenced to spend eight months in jail today.
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“You kept me silent for a year-and-a-half and I want you to know you no longer have control over me,” the victim said during Baird’s sentencing hearing. “This is not your story. This is my story and I will use it to help other victims. You picked the wrong girl to mess with. Thank you for empowering me to stand up and fight for what is worth fighting for.”

UPDATE::  Jury convicts Manassas megachurch youth leader of sex crimes

A youth leader and the son of a Manassas megachurch pastor was convicted Thursday of five felony sex crimes with a minor in connection with an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old member of the congregation.

A Prince William County Circuit Court jury handed up the verdict late Thursday afternoon after deliberating for eight hours over two days. The jury found Jordan Baird, 26, of Warrenton, guilty of five of seven counts of indecent liberties with a minor by a custodian.

The jury failed to reach a verdict on the charge of using electronic means to commit a sex crime with a minor Baird was facing. It is not yet clear if prosecutors will re-try that charge.

A new jury trial date has been set for Jordan Baird, the Warrenton-based pop star and son of Manassas megachurch leaders accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl in his congregation.

Baird, 26, is facing seven counts of indecent liberties with a child by a custodian and was recently indicted for one count of sexual offense with a minor by computer. The former model was scheduled for trial Sept. 6, but the trial was postponed after someone came forward the night before it was to begin with a recording of the victim reportedly making her first allegation against Baird at a prayer circle, according to court records.

New trial date set for pop star accused of inappropriate relationship with minor | News | fauquier.com

Abuse of Faith: Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News investigation reveals decades of sexual abuse from Southern Baptist church leaders, volunteers - Houston Chronicle

In the past 20 years, a disturbing number of Southern Baptists with formal church roles have engaged in sexual misconduct, a new investigation by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News reveals. They were pastors. Deacons. Youth pastors. They left behind more than 700 victims. Read and hear the stories of those victims, and learn the depths of the crimes and misconduct of the church leaders they trusted.

Abuse of Faith: Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News investigation reveals decades of sexual abuse from Southern Baptist church leaders, volunteers - Houston Chronicle

Pike County pastor charged for alleged sexual abuse | KHQA

A Pike County pastor was arrested last Friday for alleged sexual abuse.

Pike County Sheriff Paul Petty confirmed that Jeffrey Krupinski, 51 from Pittsfield, Illinois was arrested on two charges of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Krupinski is the Pastor of Detroit Christian Church in the village of Detroit, IL.

Krupinski appeared in court Friday and was given a hearing date of November 13, 2018.

Pike County pastor charged for alleged sexual abuse | KHQA

Chicago pastor Rigoberto Gamez charged with sex abuse involving force, battery | abc7chicago.com

A pastor who has been assigned to at least three churches in Chicago is accused of sexually abusing two women and attacking a teen girl, police said Friday.

Rigoberto Gamez, 52, was charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual abuse involving force and misdemeanor battery in connection with attacks on a 18-year-old woman, a 27-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl, police said.

The attacks began in November 2016. Prosecutors said Gamez fondled a 27-year-old office manager after a luncheon in the church rectory.

Officials said Gamez began abusing an 18-year-old female parishioner who volunteered in the church office in October 2017. The alleged abuse didn't stop until the victim's parents confronted Gamez in December 2017.

Chicago pastor Rigoberto Gamez charged with sex abuse involving force, battery | abc7chicago.com

Indian Bishop Franco Mulakkal arrested for alleged rape of nun | Global Sisters Report

Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar was arrested by Kerala police Friday, accused of raping a nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016. He is the first Catholic bishop to be arrested in a sexual abuse case against a nun in India.

The 5 p.m. arrest occurred after 15 hours of police questioning spanning three days at a high-tech interrogation cell in Thrippunithura, a suburb of Kochi, the commercial hub of Kerala.

The case emerged on June 28 when a member of the Missionaries of Jesus, a diocesan congregation under the Jalandhar Diocese, accused the prelate of subjecting her to rape and unnatural sex on 13 occasions over a two-year period at her convent in Kuravilangad, south of Kochi.

During the police interrogation, Mulakkal denied the charges, calling them "concocted." He said the nun was upset with him for advising the congregation's leaders to act on a married woman's complaint that the nun had had an affair with her husband.

Indian Bishop Franco Mulakkal arrested for alleged rape of nun | Global Sisters Report

Trial Date Set for Suspended Priest Accused of Groping Seminary Student - NBC 7 San Diego

A trial date has been set for a San Diego-area priest accused of forcibly groping and making sexual advances towards an adult seminary student.

Juan Garcia Castillo, 35, is accused of unlawfully touching an intimate part of another person on February 4, according to a complaint filed against him.

Castillo, who is a naturalized United States citizen originally from Honduras, had served as an associate pastor at St. Patrick's Parish in Carlsbad since 2011.

He was removed from the parish in March and criminally charged with one count of misdemeanor sexual battery in May.

Trial Date Set for Suspended Priest Accused of Groping Seminary Student - NBC 7 San Diego

Springfield man accused of extorting, raping woman was a pastor

Officials say a Springfield man accused of using an elaborate scheme to extort and rape a woman was a pastor.

And a former churchgoer says the pastor admitted at least parts of the act to his congregation six years ago.

Gary Miller, 41, was charged Tuesday with forcible rape and forcible sodomy following allegations that he sent "anonymous" threat letters to set up a sexual assault in 2012.

Sherry Clark said Miller was her pastor in 2012 at Sycamore Baptist Church in Springfield.

Springfield man accused of extorting, raping woman was a pastor

Former Chester Co. pastor, teaching assistant pleads guilty to attempted rape - WBBJ TV

Mike Ulmer pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexual battery, assault, and two counts of attempted rape, according to court documents.

“He entered a best interest plea, which means he was accepting an agreement without admitting to any of the conduct,” Mark Donahoe, Ulmer’s attorney, said.

The former Henderson pastor and Chester County High School teaching assistant is accused of tying up and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old at his home in 2017, according to court documents.

Donahoe said Ulmer will serve one year in the Chester County jail and spend 10 years on probation. “He will report, and part of the agreement was that he would be on the sex offender registry,” Donahoe said.

Former Chester Co. pastor, teaching assistant pleads guilty to attempted rape - WBBJ TV

See also::  Chester County preacher facing rape charge waives preliminary hearing

Lexington Church Investigates After Ex-Youth Pastor Accused Of A - LEX18.com | Continuous News and StormTracker Weather

In an open letter released to the public Monday, Tates Creek Presbyterian Church pastor Robert Cunningham detailed allegations of abuse against one of the church’s former clergy — and laid out a plan for the church’s future.

“It has come to our attention that Brad Waller sexually abused boys and men under his care as a pastor of TCPC,” wrote Cunningham in his address to his 1,250-member congregation and the media. ”While all of this misconduct took place over a decade ago, our church leadership is nevertheless committed to handling this horrific news with utmost sincerity, urgency and transparency.”

Cunningham’s statement is in response to the recent deposition of Savannah pastor Brad Waller, who was relieved of senior pastoral duties at Georgia’s Grace Church of the Islands in April after a confession detailing "foot-rubbing" of adult and youth male members of his church.

In a confession from Waller on public record, the former pastor stated: “I, Brad Waller, confess to the sin of abuse of authority in my role as a pastor. I have been rubbing the feet of men and youth in my care. There was a sexual element to this, however, physically it never went past foot-rubbing.” He was deposed from his office at the same meeting.

Waller had served as a minister under the administration of Tates Creek Presbyterian Church from 1995 to 2006, where his responsibilities included directing youth and college ministries. He was also involved in youth ministry at the University of Kentucky.

Lexington Church Investigates After Ex-Youth Pastor Accused Of A - LEX18.com | Continuous News and StormTracker Weather

Pastor arrested for having sex with inmates at Richmond jail, Crime Insider says | WTVR.com

A deputy with the Richmond City Sheriff's Office has been arrested and charged with sex crimes.

Crime Insider sources confirmed 29-year-old Matthew Eli Mellerson is a deputy and also the chaplain at the Richmond Justice Center.

A grand jury on Thursday indicted Mellerson on six counts of carnal knowledge of an inmate and two counts of sexual abusing an inmate.

Pastor arrested for having sex with inmates at Richmond jail, Crime Insider says | WTVR.com

Former Antioch pastor arrested in McLennan County prostitution s - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen |

The Antioch Communications Director said in a press release that a former Antioch pastor was arrested Thursday for patronizing an illicit massage parlor.

Ed Espinosa was arrested by the McLennan County Sheriff's Office.

Espinosa was the former Community Outreach Pastor at Antioch and local business owner.

Espinosa was immediately suspended from his position at Antioch on Dec. 7, 2017, after disclosing to his supervisor, and turned in his resignation on Dec. 19, 2017.

The women working at the massage parlors were victims of human trafficking.

Former Antioch pastor arrested in McLennan County prostitution s - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen

UPDATE::BREAKING: Lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles Dismissed | Spiritual Sounding Board

Heart-breaking but it appears that the SOLs may have a part to play in this voluntary dismissal,,, more to come!

BREAKING: Lawsuit against Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles Dismissed | Spiritual Sounding Board

St. Cloud priest faces criminal sexual conduct charges

A St. Cloud priest faces criminal charges on suspicion of engaging in a sexual relationship with a parishioner.

The Rev. Anthony Oelrich, 51, was charged with criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. The state statue makes it a crime for a member of clergy to engage in a sexual relationship with someone they are counseling spiritually or religiously. 

St. Cloud police arrested Oelrich Tuesday morning and he appeared in court Wednesday.

Oelrich has worked as a priest in the Diocese of St. Cloud since 1992 and until Wednesday was the priest assigned to Christ Church Newman Center. 

St. Cloud priest faces criminal sexual conduct charges

UPDATED::The Woodlands pastor charged with prostitution | abc13.com

UPDATE::  Former pastor in The Woodlands gets probation for prostitution charge

A pastor in The Woodlands who was arrested last summer on a charge of soliciting a prostitute pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Eddie Hilburn, 53, was arrested at a hotel in July 2017 during a sting operation.

A Montgomery County religious leader has been charged with prostitution.

According to charging documents, 52-year-old Eddie Hilburn was taken into custody after he agreed to pay for sex.

Officials at The Woodlands First Baptist Church confirmed that Hilburn is an associate pastor. According to the church's website, Hilburn has been with the church since 2012 and had previously served at other churches across Texas and Wisconsin.

The Woodlands pastor charged with prostitution | abc13.com

Dalton, Ga., counselor accused of asking clients for sex faces sexual assault charge | Times Free Press

Staats is not a licensed professional counselor, he was an unlicensed "Christian" counselor that is not regulated by the state.  Staats was still able to practice because he held a master of divinity degree.

When they made court-ordered visits to a Dalton, Ga., counselor, two women say, the counselor solicited them for sex.

One woman told Dalton police that Daniel Durward Staats fondled her breast, exposed himself and received oral sex from her during a July visit to his practice, Helping the Hurting. A month later, a second woman told police that Staats said he was in an open marriage and that the woman could give photos of herself to his secret Facebook page. After the counseling session, he sent her a friend request and private messages under a fake name, according to an incident report.

Four months later, on Friday, Dalton police arrested Staats on a charge of sexual assault by a psychotherapist. The crime is based on the accusations from the meeting in July. Dalton police Spokesman Bruce Frazier said a detective on the case did not think the actions in the August session constituted a crime.

Because he offers Christian-based counseling, Georgia law protects him from the level of scrutiny that a licensing board could provide a secular company. Staats, 63, told the Times Free Press in an email Wednesday, "I am not guilty of the charge."

Dalton, Ga., counselor accused of asking clients for sex faces sexual assault charge | Times Free Press

Hamilton man faces three felony rape charges | Local News | ravallirepublic.com

A 30-year-old Hamilton man who allegedly sought assistance from his church for his “sexual predatorial behavior” is facing three felony charges of sexual intercourse without consent.

Seth Wirick also is charged with felony partner/family member assault. He was jailed Wednesday in lieu of a $75,000 bond, with an initial appearance in Justice Court set for Jan. 3.
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Later that month, she was contacted by one of the pastors “who told her he was sorry for the situation, and referred to defendant as a ‘sex addict’ and told her that they are working with defendant to get help for his problem,” Ravalli Deputy County Attorney Meghann Paddock wrote in an affidavit. “The pastor then asked for all the details of their sex life and specific instances where defendant forced himself on her. Female 1 reported that the pastor urged her not to make any reports to law enforcement, tell other members of the church, or defendant’s place of employment.”

The wife of the pastor also allegedly called the woman. The affidavit, which did not identify the church, said the pastor’s wife was “irate” and told her to stop contacting people about the incident.

Hamilton man faces three felony rape charges | Local News | ravallirepublic.com

Livermore Priest Under Investigation for Alleged Inappropriate Behavior - NBC Bay Area

A Livermore priest is under investigation after being accused of inappropriate behavior, authorities said Monday.

Father Van Dinh, a pastor of St. Michael Parish in Livermore, has been placed on administrative leave until the police investigation is completed, according to the Diocese of Oakland.

Livermore Priest Under Investigation for Alleged Inappropriate Behavior - NBC Bay Area

Former prison chaplain convicted of sexual battery at prison sentenced | WRGT

A former prison chaplain will have to register as a Tier III sex offender for the rest of his life after being convicted of nine counts of sexual battery against an inmate at the Dayton Correctional Institution.

Kenneth Bozeman, 53, will also be on probation for up to five years and is not allow to in any capacity offer services as a pastor or counselor.

The inmate reported that Bozeman engaged in sexual contact with her on Thursday, August 27, 2015. The Ohio State Highway Patrol opened an investigation and took forensic evidence. In October of 2017, Bozeman was found guilty of nine counts of sexual battery.

Former prison chaplain convicted of sexual battery at prison sentenced | WRGT

Former youth pastor to serve 10 years for sex crime | 13NEWSNOW.com

Jeff Bondi, a former youth minister, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexual assault.

Bondi was arrested in January for assaulting an 18-year-old woman back in 2001 while she was babysitting his kids at his house.

Earlier this year, a grand jury indicted Bondi with one count of Felony Object Penetration. He was found guilty of the crime in June. 

On Tuesday, a judge sentenced Bondi to 35 years in prison, with 25 years suspended. He also has to register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender counseling. He is also forbidden from doing any more youth counseling.

Former youth pastor to serve 10 years for sex crime | 13NEWSNOW.com