Beware The Pentecostals . . .
. . . or the Charismatics or Full Gospels, or what ever they want to be called. Suffice it to say, these churches believe:
1 - Speaking in "tongues" is something that Christians (still) do today, or perhaps should do today.
2 - God, in Jesus time and today, still miraculously heals people of their physical / mental ailments, usually after the afflicted (or someone else) has prayed for this healing.
In one of my previous posts I mentioned my dear friend Mary (and her husband Rob) who have been associated with just such churches for most of their adult life. Mary, after I explained to her my reasons for no longer believing in God, suggested to me - "If you want to get wet, you have to hang out under the spout where the water comes out. Go where there is a REAL move of God."
In other words, she attends a church (Pentecostal / Charismatic / Full Gospel) where "there is a REAL move of God", and if I want the same, I should attend a Full Gospel church because that is obviously where God is . . . what . . . doing stuff ?
I have previously done posts on the Baptists, Methodists, Calvinists (Presbyterians, Reformed), Church of Christ, 7th Day Adventists - posts that are specifically concerning their proclivity toward criminal activity amongst their church leadership (ministers, pastors, preachers, youth ministers, etc) - and believe me, the leadership in these aforementioned denominations / churches have a real problem with committing sexual assault (and rape) on minors.
That's right - they hate the drag queen story hour at the public library but they seemingly have no problem serving up their own children to their deviant ministers at their churches every goddamn Sunday!
Well, let's see how the Pentecostal / Charismatic / Full Gospel congregations are doing with regard to this particular sinful activity. I mean, surely in the churches "where there is a REAL move of God." the children of the congregants will be safe . . . surely . . . ?
Note - In some of these reports below the church name is mentioned but the actual denomination is not. In these instances I had to research to determine if they were of the Pentecostal / Charismatic / Full Gospel persuasion, or as I called them when I was a Christian: "Tongues Churches".
I have tried to edit these reports down for brevity.
~ ~ ~
Mar 2009
The former senior pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church in Redding was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in January to five felony counts of child molestation.
David Leon Bishop, 65, did not make any comments during his sentencing.
Bishop was arrested in early October and charged with 47 felony counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 14, as well as 47 related enhancements.
He pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and lascivious conduct in exchange for the 16-year prison sentence.
Bishop could have faced life in prison if convicted on all the charges, said Shasta County Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna, who prosecuted the case.
Bishop had been pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church on East Cypress Avenue, now called the Hope Center, since the early 1970s. But he resigned several months ago after the alleged child molestation accusations began to surface.
The former senior pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church in Redding was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in January to five felony counts of child molestation.
David Leon Bishop, 65, did not make any comments during his sentencing.
Bishop was arrested in early October and charged with 47 felony counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 14, as well as 47 related enhancements.
He pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and lascivious conduct in exchange for the 16-year prison sentence.
Bishop could have faced life in prison if convicted on all the charges, said Shasta County Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna, who prosecuted the case.
Bishop had been pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church on East Cypress Avenue, now called the Hope Center, since the early 1970s. But he resigned several months ago after the alleged child molestation accusations began to surface.
Sep 2009
Chandler police arrested a pastor for having sex with a 14-year-old girl in his congregation.
Police say 25-year-old Josh O'Bannion admitted to having sex with the girl at least three times over the the last few months, while serving as youth pastor at the Christ Life Church in Tempe.
Being that this is often how these cases go, we weren't shocked today when two more young girls in the pastor's former congregation made similar allegations.
After hearing about the pastor's arrest here September 15, police in Parma, Ohio, say two girls, also 14, came forward to say that O'Bannion had engaged in sex with them, too, when he was a pastor in their church.
Parma police spokesman Marty Compton tells New Times that while serving at the First United Pentecostal Church of Parma, O'Bannion allegedly had sex with the girls inside the church. O'Bannion's grandfather is head pastor at the Ohio church.
Compton says O'Bannion served at the church from 2006 until late last year when he came to the Valley.
Jan 2010
Investigators on Thursday arrested the senior pastor of Mahwah Full Gospel Church and charged him with having sex with an underaged girl 10 years ago — the same type of crime his son-in-law, the church’s assistant pastor, was accused of last month.
Jack D. Walker, who turns 72 next week, is being held on $250,000 bail at the Bergen County Jail on sexual assault charges, including the legal equivalent of statutory rape.
Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said the incidents happened “on several occasions with a female who was under the age of thirteen at the time” in Mahwah – but not at the church. Walker, who is married, was senior pastor at the time.
His son-in-law, 44-year-old Curtis Franklin, was charged last month with having intercourse six years ago with a 15-year-old, as well as a four-year sexual relationship with a girl beginning when she was 12. Although the alleged victims considered the sex consensual, both were too young to be in bed with an adult — much less one more than twice their ages, Molinelli said.
Sep 2011
The spiritual head of a local Pentecostal denomination has been arrested and booked with sexual battery on a teenage girl more than 23 years ago. New Orleans court records show that Bishop Charles E. Brown, 58, was released on $25,000 bond.
Brown, who since Hurricane Katrina has divided his time between New Orleans and Houston, is the jurisdictional bishop for Greater New Orleans in the Church of God in Christ, a Pentecostal denomination with headquarters in Memphis. He is also pastor of a local congregation, Full Gospel Church of God in Christ.
A police affidavit supporting the arrest warrant said an unidentified 39-year-old woman called the department's child abuse unit in March to report that Brown molested her between the ages of 14 and 16. The woman said at the time Brown was her aunt's boyfriend, and the acts occurred at his home. She told police Brown recently reached out and asked to "friend" her on Facebook. She told him she knew him to be an abuser and decided then to go to the police, the affidavit said.
Brown originally was arrested and booked with aggravated rape. But Magistrate Commissioner Harry Cantrell said the specific facts alleged by the woman supported only the lesser accusation of sexual battery.
Jul 2012
Kissimmee investigators said Angel Perez-Nieves forged another church member’s signature. However, the Pentecostal church pastor is no stranger to the criminal justice system.
In May, a teen boy accused the pastor of sexual assault. Perez-Nieves was arrested and eventually bonded out of jail. Now, Kissimmee police are looking for him on a fraud charge.
Police said Perez-Nieves would ask members at the church for their names, dates of birth and social security numbers, telling parishioners it was for “state recording.” He’s accused of using that information from one woman to set up an account with an alarm company -- even going as far as forging her signature.
The victim got a call from the company about a past due notice and that’s when the alleged fraud came to light.
Neighbors of the pastor said it’s hard to believe the charge.
“I don’t believe that he actually did it because people come to his house to pray and everything else,” said neighbor Ivan Jordan.
Kissimmee investigators said Angel Perez-Nieves forged another church member’s signature. However, the Pentecostal church pastor is no stranger to the criminal justice system.
In May, a teen boy accused the pastor of sexual assault. Perez-Nieves was arrested and eventually bonded out of jail. Now, Kissimmee police are looking for him on a fraud charge.
Police said Perez-Nieves would ask members at the church for their names, dates of birth and social security numbers, telling parishioners it was for “state recording.” He’s accused of using that information from one woman to set up an account with an alarm company -- even going as far as forging her signature.
The victim got a call from the company about a past due notice and that’s when the alleged fraud came to light.
Neighbors of the pastor said it’s hard to believe the charge.
“I don’t believe that he actually did it because people come to his house to pray and everything else,” said neighbor Ivan Jordan.
Aug 2012
Pastor Craig Lamar Davis of Atlanta’s Full Gospel Baptist Church was arrested on July 22 for reckless conduct, when police investigators discovered that he has HIV and had allegedly been indulging in unprotected sex with several of his congregation members. Now one of his congregation victims have come forward with her story.
Thus far, two women have pressed charges against the married preacher. One of the victims, Ronita McAfee, told police officials that she met the pastor on Facebook and began communicating with him. The online relationship soon progressed into sexual romps at the pastor’s home. McAfee says a few months in to the affair, Davis revealed that one of his former girlfriends had tested positive for HIV. The seemingly concerned preacher allegedly advised McAfee that the virus would not kill her if she tested positive and even went as far as to suggest some drugs that she could take to avoid infection.
McAfee knew something was fishy about her relationship with Davis when the house where they would meet for their trysts was foreclosed. He also kept refusing to get tested for HIV at her urging, which was a red flag to her that he knew of his status.
While McAfee luckily tested negative for the HIV virus, she decided to report Davis to the police and a warrant was put out for his arrest.
When McAfee tried to file charges against Davis in Fulton County, she stumbled upon a complaint from another congregation member who had also fallen prey to Davis’ charismatic ways. The woman, who has not been identified, held a leadership role at Davis’ church.
Following a church service, Davis was arrested in a Wendy’s parking lot. Bail was denied at first but then it was granted and ironically posted by Davis’ wife, Jan.
Meanwhile, McAfee went on a church blog site to warn anyone who has come in sexual contact with Pastor Davis of his alleged HIV status.
Investigators suspect that there are more of Davis’ victims who are HIV-positive but who have not come forward.
Pastor Craig Lamar Davis of Atlanta’s Full Gospel Baptist Church was arrested on July 22 for reckless conduct, when police investigators discovered that he has HIV and had allegedly been indulging in unprotected sex with several of his congregation members. Now one of his congregation victims have come forward with her story.
Thus far, two women have pressed charges against the married preacher. One of the victims, Ronita McAfee, told police officials that she met the pastor on Facebook and began communicating with him. The online relationship soon progressed into sexual romps at the pastor’s home. McAfee says a few months in to the affair, Davis revealed that one of his former girlfriends had tested positive for HIV. The seemingly concerned preacher allegedly advised McAfee that the virus would not kill her if she tested positive and even went as far as to suggest some drugs that she could take to avoid infection.
McAfee knew something was fishy about her relationship with Davis when the house where they would meet for their trysts was foreclosed. He also kept refusing to get tested for HIV at her urging, which was a red flag to her that he knew of his status.
While McAfee luckily tested negative for the HIV virus, she decided to report Davis to the police and a warrant was put out for his arrest.
When McAfee tried to file charges against Davis in Fulton County, she stumbled upon a complaint from another congregation member who had also fallen prey to Davis’ charismatic ways. The woman, who has not been identified, held a leadership role at Davis’ church.
Following a church service, Davis was arrested in a Wendy’s parking lot. Bail was denied at first but then it was granted and ironically posted by Davis’ wife, Jan.
Meanwhile, McAfee went on a church blog site to warn anyone who has come in sexual contact with Pastor Davis of his alleged HIV status.
Investigators suspect that there are more of Davis’ victims who are HIV-positive but who have not come forward.
Aug 2014
DEXTER, MO - A former pastor of a Dexter church facing stealing and forgery charges was arrested by St. Louis authorities last week.
Marcus C. Geuin was taken to the Stoddard County Jail. Geuin is the former pastor of First Pentecostal Church on one One Mile Road in Dexter.
According to a police probable cause statement, Geuin is accused of stealing more than $112,000 from the church.
Police say interviews showed two signatures were forged on one bank document.
The church board told police when the alleged fraud was found out, there was little money left in the bank for church bills.
The current pastor tells Heartland News the church board is cooperating with authorities in the investigation. But, the current pastor says that he and the rest of the members are ready to put this all behind them.
Police say Geuin resigned from the church in May 2013.
DEXTER, MO - A former pastor of a Dexter church facing stealing and forgery charges was arrested by St. Louis authorities last week.
Marcus C. Geuin was taken to the Stoddard County Jail. Geuin is the former pastor of First Pentecostal Church on one One Mile Road in Dexter.
According to a police probable cause statement, Geuin is accused of stealing more than $112,000 from the church.
Police say interviews showed two signatures were forged on one bank document.
The church board told police when the alleged fraud was found out, there was little money left in the bank for church bills.
The current pastor tells Heartland News the church board is cooperating with authorities in the investigation. But, the current pastor says that he and the rest of the members are ready to put this all behind them.
Police say Geuin resigned from the church in May 2013.
Aug 2017
Police arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of sexually abusing two girls when he was a preacher at a Fort Worth church.
Hurst police reported that officers executed two felony arrest warrants on Jose Francisco Bernal, 52, at his residence. Bernal was in the Hurst Jail on Wednesday facing two counts of continuous sexual assault of a child. Bail was set at $50,000 for each charge, police said.
Two adult females made outcries of numerous sexual abuse incidents that occurred when they were both juveniles living in Hurst between 2007 and 2013, police said.
Investigators concluded that Bernal met the girls while he was their pastor at the Tabernaculo De Vida Pentecostal Church on West Dickson Street in Fort Worth.
Police arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of sexually abusing two girls when he was a preacher at a Fort Worth church.
Hurst police reported that officers executed two felony arrest warrants on Jose Francisco Bernal, 52, at his residence. Bernal was in the Hurst Jail on Wednesday facing two counts of continuous sexual assault of a child. Bail was set at $50,000 for each charge, police said.
Two adult females made outcries of numerous sexual abuse incidents that occurred when they were both juveniles living in Hurst between 2007 and 2013, police said.
Investigators concluded that Bernal met the girls while he was their pastor at the Tabernaculo De Vida Pentecostal Church on West Dickson Street in Fort Worth.
Nov 2017
A pastor has been arrested after a 21-year old woman alleged that he raped her while providing counselling following the death of her father, according to well-placed sources.
Sources said the pastor of the Full Gospel Church (not Full Gospel Fellowship) was arrested Thursday night at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara home to assist police with investigations.
The 35-year old man allegedly committed the offence last month on the woman.
The woman alleged that following her father’s death two years ago, the pastor counselled her and her mother.
Months later, he alleged invited the woman to his home where he eventually had sex with her multiple times.
A pastor has been arrested after a 21-year old woman alleged that he raped her while providing counselling following the death of her father, according to well-placed sources.
Sources said the pastor of the Full Gospel Church (not Full Gospel Fellowship) was arrested Thursday night at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara home to assist police with investigations.
The 35-year old man allegedly committed the offence last month on the woman.
The woman alleged that following her father’s death two years ago, the pastor counselled her and her mother.
Months later, he alleged invited the woman to his home where he eventually had sex with her multiple times.
Mar 2019
BAY MINETTE, AL — Sunday morning, the Faith Community Full Gospel Church was without its full-time pastor. Instead, 53-year-old Norman Washington was behind bars at the Baldwin County Jail charged with enticing a child and three other child sex abuse charges.
Washington turned himself into authorities Friday night after a grand jury indicted him earlier this month. The charges stem from an investigation that began in 2017. Investigators say the 11-year-old victim claimed Washington touched her inappropriately above her clothes. Investigators say the child was known to Washington and not associated with the church.
BAY MINETTE, AL — Sunday morning, the Faith Community Full Gospel Church was without its full-time pastor. Instead, 53-year-old Norman Washington was behind bars at the Baldwin County Jail charged with enticing a child and three other child sex abuse charges.
Washington turned himself into authorities Friday night after a grand jury indicted him earlier this month. The charges stem from an investigation that began in 2017. Investigators say the 11-year-old victim claimed Washington touched her inappropriately above her clothes. Investigators say the child was known to Washington and not associated with the church.
May 2019
FLORENCE, SC – A Florence pastor has been indicted with bank fraud and identity theft in connection to his job as a supervisor at the BB&T.
Tony McElveen Sr., pastor of the Greater Faith World Outreach Church, also known as the Full Gospel World Outreach Church, was charged with taking about $107,390 in a series of false credit lines and check writing.
McElveen was a candidate for mayor in Florence in 2016. He lost to incumbent Stephen Wukela.
According to the indictment, McElveen was hired as a supervisor at the BB&T in February 2017. By August he obtained joint credit lines in the name of Full Gospel and two victims, the indictment charges.
McElveen has been charged with opening two $50,000 preferred lines of credit under the identity of two victims, using their social security numbers and birth dates.
McElveen also opened Visa Card and American Express cards in the names of the two victims, who were over the age of 65, prosecutors said.
The indictment claims the following:
In August, McElveen withdrew $7,500 in the form of a check payable to Full Gospel. Less than 2 weeks later, he withdrew another $28,500 from the victim’s credit line and had a check written to Full Gospel for the amount.
In September he transferred another $39,000 to World Outreach Min. Ten days later, he took another $12,800.
In October, McElveen used $39,980 as payment toward his outstanding mortgage.
McElven must pay back $107,390 in total if he is convicted.
FLORENCE, SC – A Florence pastor has been indicted with bank fraud and identity theft in connection to his job as a supervisor at the BB&T.
Tony McElveen Sr., pastor of the Greater Faith World Outreach Church, also known as the Full Gospel World Outreach Church, was charged with taking about $107,390 in a series of false credit lines and check writing.
McElveen was a candidate for mayor in Florence in 2016. He lost to incumbent Stephen Wukela.
According to the indictment, McElveen was hired as a supervisor at the BB&T in February 2017. By August he obtained joint credit lines in the name of Full Gospel and two victims, the indictment charges.
McElveen has been charged with opening two $50,000 preferred lines of credit under the identity of two victims, using their social security numbers and birth dates.
McElveen also opened Visa Card and American Express cards in the names of the two victims, who were over the age of 65, prosecutors said.
The indictment claims the following:
In August, McElveen withdrew $7,500 in the form of a check payable to Full Gospel. Less than 2 weeks later, he withdrew another $28,500 from the victim’s credit line and had a check written to Full Gospel for the amount.
In September he transferred another $39,000 to World Outreach Min. Ten days later, he took another $12,800.
In October, McElveen used $39,980 as payment toward his outstanding mortgage.
McElven must pay back $107,390 in total if he is convicted.
Jul 2020
The celebrated pastor of a Morgan Park neighborhood church and a former high-ranking Chicago Fire Department official was accused of grooming and fondling three women for sex when all three were still young girls.
Prosecutors said Jerry L. Jones Sr., 71, groped all three victims, touched himself in their presence and often made lewd sexual comments over the course of 26 years. The criminal case began after one of the victims wrote a lengthy Facebook post detailing the abuse.
Among the allegations against Jones — pastor of Apostolic Assembly Church of Lord Jesus Christ — is that he used Bible Scripture to convey his sexual desires and, in one case, used them to try to coerce two young sisters into “giving the defendant their virginities,” according to prosecutors.
Jones, who is also a second assistant presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International, faces three counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse, a Class 2 felony.
One victim, now 21, began attending Jones’ church when she was 10, telling authorities that she was first groped by the pastor a year later. The victim accused Jones of using pre-church meetings as an opportunity to fondle and kiss her, pressing his body against hers and eventually asking her to send him nude photos of herself. “The defendant told (the victim) that he could not wait to have sex with her until she was 18,” prosecutors said.
When the victim was 17, she said she told two church officials about the abuse, one of them a minister, prosecutors said. But the church put Jones and the victim on a “‘restoration plan’ intended to punish both (the victim) for 84 days and (Jones) for 40 days, as well as to resolve the situation internally.”
Under the state’s Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, clergy members are required to alert law enforcement or child welfare officials about any suspected abuse. A request for comment left at the church Sunday afternoon wasn’t answered.
Jones was also accused of similar allegations against two relatives who were raised by Jones and his wife Laverne.
The sisters, now 30 and 34, told authorities that they didn’t want to come forward because they did not want to enter the child welfare system without guardianship. Eventually, one of the sisters wrote the lengthy post on Facebook, which the 21-year-old victim later read and contacted police to file a report.
The criminal charges come in stark contrast with Jones’ long career of service related to his ministry work and his nearly 30-year career with the Chicago Fire Department. He was also called “Chicago’s Firefighting Bishop,” in a December 1991 edition of Ebony magazine. In 2005, Jones retired as the assistant fire commissioner and the department’s chief officer of diversity.
Jones was also involved in Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, becoming the youngest bishop at the time of his consecration. In 1994, former U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds entered a House proclamation honoring Jones as “a true role model to our youth and community.” That same proclamation also praised Jones as a “former high school track star, a one time Karate Champion, a United States Army Veteran, he was the youngest Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner in the History of the City of Chicago.”
The celebrated pastor of a Morgan Park neighborhood church and a former high-ranking Chicago Fire Department official was accused of grooming and fondling three women for sex when all three were still young girls.
Prosecutors said Jerry L. Jones Sr., 71, groped all three victims, touched himself in their presence and often made lewd sexual comments over the course of 26 years. The criminal case began after one of the victims wrote a lengthy Facebook post detailing the abuse.
Among the allegations against Jones — pastor of Apostolic Assembly Church of Lord Jesus Christ — is that he used Bible Scripture to convey his sexual desires and, in one case, used them to try to coerce two young sisters into “giving the defendant their virginities,” according to prosecutors.
Jones, who is also a second assistant presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International, faces three counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse, a Class 2 felony.
One victim, now 21, began attending Jones’ church when she was 10, telling authorities that she was first groped by the pastor a year later. The victim accused Jones of using pre-church meetings as an opportunity to fondle and kiss her, pressing his body against hers and eventually asking her to send him nude photos of herself. “The defendant told (the victim) that he could not wait to have sex with her until she was 18,” prosecutors said.
When the victim was 17, she said she told two church officials about the abuse, one of them a minister, prosecutors said. But the church put Jones and the victim on a “‘restoration plan’ intended to punish both (the victim) for 84 days and (Jones) for 40 days, as well as to resolve the situation internally.”
Under the state’s Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, clergy members are required to alert law enforcement or child welfare officials about any suspected abuse. A request for comment left at the church Sunday afternoon wasn’t answered.
Jones was also accused of similar allegations against two relatives who were raised by Jones and his wife Laverne.
The sisters, now 30 and 34, told authorities that they didn’t want to come forward because they did not want to enter the child welfare system without guardianship. Eventually, one of the sisters wrote the lengthy post on Facebook, which the 21-year-old victim later read and contacted police to file a report.
The criminal charges come in stark contrast with Jones’ long career of service related to his ministry work and his nearly 30-year career with the Chicago Fire Department. He was also called “Chicago’s Firefighting Bishop,” in a December 1991 edition of Ebony magazine. In 2005, Jones retired as the assistant fire commissioner and the department’s chief officer of diversity.
Jones was also involved in Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, becoming the youngest bishop at the time of his consecration. In 1994, former U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds entered a House proclamation honoring Jones as “a true role model to our youth and community.” That same proclamation also praised Jones as a “former high school track star, a one time Karate Champion, a United States Army Veteran, he was the youngest Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner in the History of the City of Chicago.”
Sep 2020
Bryan Scott Carrejo, 33, pastor of the Victory Chapel in Orange City, Florida, was arrested Wednesday and charged with five counts of possession of child pornography of children as young as 8 years old, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Carrejo is being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail pending his first court appearance.
The arrest came after investigators discovered that someone at his residence had offered to share child pornography online, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said. A search warrant was executed, and FDLE agents found pornography files showing children as young as 8 years old.
Victory Chapel is a Pentecostal church located north and east of Orlando.
Bryan Scott Carrejo, 33, pastor of the Victory Chapel in Orange City, Florida, was arrested Wednesday and charged with five counts of possession of child pornography of children as young as 8 years old, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Carrejo is being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail pending his first court appearance.
The arrest came after investigators discovered that someone at his residence had offered to share child pornography online, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said. A search warrant was executed, and FDLE agents found pornography files showing children as young as 8 years old.
Victory Chapel is a Pentecostal church located north and east of Orlando.
Nov 2021
Note - On a few occasions early in my Christian experience, I attended the church below.
A Virginia pastor was arrested during a sting operation to capture individuals seeking sexual relations with minors online and is facing a felony charge of soliciting prostitution.
John Blanchard, a 51-year-old pastor at the Rock Church of Virginia Beach, was one of 17 individuals arrested in the operation, according to an announcement from Chesterfield County Police on Monday.
“During the two-day operation, detectives intercepted suspects who believed they were soliciting sex from minors through online and social media platforms,” explained authorities.
“The suspects communicated with people they believed to be underage members of our community and arranged to meet them at a location to have sexual relations. When the suspects came to the location, they were met by police and arrested.”
Blanchard has been charged with felony solicitation of prostitution and the use of a vehicle to promote prostitution, according to Chesterfield Police.
According to the Rock Church’s website, Blanchard has served as senior pastor of the congregation alongside his wife, Robin, since October 2013.
A Virginia pastor was arrested during a sting operation to capture individuals seeking sexual relations with minors online and is facing a felony charge of soliciting prostitution.
John Blanchard, a 51-year-old pastor at the Rock Church of Virginia Beach, was one of 17 individuals arrested in the operation, according to an announcement from Chesterfield County Police on Monday.
“During the two-day operation, detectives intercepted suspects who believed they were soliciting sex from minors through online and social media platforms,” explained authorities.
“The suspects communicated with people they believed to be underage members of our community and arranged to meet them at a location to have sexual relations. When the suspects came to the location, they were met by police and arrested.”
Blanchard has been charged with felony solicitation of prostitution and the use of a vehicle to promote prostitution, according to Chesterfield Police.
According to the Rock Church’s website, Blanchard has served as senior pastor of the congregation alongside his wife, Robin, since October 2013.
Jan 2023 Update
NOTE - charges against Pastor John Blanchard were dropped (The DA decided not to prosecute). Here is a statement by the Chesterfield County Police Chief, Col. Jeffrey S. Katz:
AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE - I have found it necessary to make a few public statements regarding the arrest of Pastor John Blanchard. These statements have consistently reinforced my fervent support for the quality of the case and the investigative efforts of my staff. That has not changed.
Pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request filed in November 2022, I exercised my discretion under the law to publicly release the details of this investigation because I believe there is a compelling public interest in maintaining as much transparency as possible with this case.
I have recently learned that Mr. Blanchard’s defense counsel made a motion to seal all police or court records, transcripts, and investigative records associated with this case. Our Commonwealth’s Attorney has decided to consent to render these records unavailable to the public, which - upon approval by a judge - would make sharing of these transcripts, the report, or any other documents, previously released under FOIA a crime. From my vantage point, this is bewildering.
When someone:
1. Rents a car,
2. Texts a phone number posted on a known sex worker website,
3. Solicits a “qv” (“John” lingo for a “quick visit”),
4. Makes multiple inquiries if the person he’s texting is “affiliated with law enforcement,”
5. Drives two and a half hours to a hotel and knocks on the hotel room door - as directed by our undercover “17-year-old,”
I believe a jury of Chesterfield County residents deserves to weigh in on the matter of criminal culpability.
The decision to nolle prosse this case has made such a deliberation impossible…but I want to be clear; this is NOT due to a lack of evidence or a substandard investigation. We know what we are doing, we do it very well, and we will continue to proceed with such investigations in the future. Any assertion to the contrary needs to be articulated by the Commonwealth Attorney. Despite numerous convictions on cases with similar - and in some cases less compelling evidence - we have not been given any guidance as to where this investigation fell short of prosecutorial expectations. Moreover, the public has not been provided an explanation. As I have shared with our Commonwealth’s Attorney, I believe a public articulation of her rationale is warranted. Absent a reasonable explanation, any discontent associated with the handling of this case should be directed to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. We did our duty.
Pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request filed in November 2022, I exercised my discretion under the law to publicly release the details of this investigation because I believe there is a compelling public interest in maintaining as much transparency as possible with this case.
I have recently learned that Mr. Blanchard’s defense counsel made a motion to seal all police or court records, transcripts, and investigative records associated with this case. Our Commonwealth’s Attorney has decided to consent to render these records unavailable to the public, which - upon approval by a judge - would make sharing of these transcripts, the report, or any other documents, previously released under FOIA a crime. From my vantage point, this is bewildering.
When someone:
1. Rents a car,
2. Texts a phone number posted on a known sex worker website,
3. Solicits a “qv” (“John” lingo for a “quick visit”),
4. Makes multiple inquiries if the person he’s texting is “affiliated with law enforcement,”
5. Drives two and a half hours to a hotel and knocks on the hotel room door - as directed by our undercover “17-year-old,”
I believe a jury of Chesterfield County residents deserves to weigh in on the matter of criminal culpability.
The decision to nolle prosse this case has made such a deliberation impossible…but I want to be clear; this is NOT due to a lack of evidence or a substandard investigation. We know what we are doing, we do it very well, and we will continue to proceed with such investigations in the future. Any assertion to the contrary needs to be articulated by the Commonwealth Attorney. Despite numerous convictions on cases with similar - and in some cases less compelling evidence - we have not been given any guidance as to where this investigation fell short of prosecutorial expectations. Moreover, the public has not been provided an explanation. As I have shared with our Commonwealth’s Attorney, I believe a public articulation of her rationale is warranted. Absent a reasonable explanation, any discontent associated with the handling of this case should be directed to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. We did our duty.
Feb 2022
LANCASTER, Ky. — Thomas Wall was arrested on Sunday, Jan. 30 and charged in Clark County, Kentucky with sexual abuse and sodomy of a victim who was less than 12-years-old at the time.
On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Wall was released after posting a $50,000 cash bond.
Wall is the pastor at Pentecostal Fellowship Church in Lancaster.
LANCASTER, Ky. — Thomas Wall was arrested on Sunday, Jan. 30 and charged in Clark County, Kentucky with sexual abuse and sodomy of a victim who was less than 12-years-old at the time.
On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Wall was released after posting a $50,000 cash bond.
Wall is the pastor at Pentecostal Fellowship Church in Lancaster.
Feb 2022
ARLINGTON — A former youth pastor at an Arlington church has been arrested for investigation of three counts of third-degree child rape.
Kendal Kippen, 26, of Stanwood, worked at Jake’s House Church in 2017 and 2018, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. His father was the pastor.
Kippen, then 22, began “grooming” a 15-year-old girl who attended the church, the sheriff’s office reported. He would drive her home and talk to her via social media, according to a news release sent out Wednesday by the sheriff’s office.
“On multiple occasions, the suspect convinced the 15-year-old victim to sneak out of her residence, and the suspect picked her up and drove the victim to his residence in Stanwood,” the news release reads.
The youth pastor was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Snohomish County Jail in Everett. Hours later, he posted $30,000 bond.
Another young woman told The Daily Herald she was also a victim of Kippen’s abuse beginning in 2016. She said she also knew the youth pastor through Jake’s House. She was 17.
According to her, Kippen began talking with her on social media. At first, they were friends. But as time passed, Kippen started sending her sexually explicit messages. He sent her nude photos, too, she said. “He would always find ways to get me alone,” she said. “He was my youth pastor, so I realized it was not OK,” she said. “We were learning about all this stuff at church — about purity, saving yourself for marriage. The person who was saying that at the pulpit was not doing it behind closed doors.”
She believes other victims are out there — as do two other congregation members who spoke with The Herald on condition of anonymity.
The youth pastor’s parents, Keith and Karmen Kippen, are lead pastors at Jake’s House.
In November 2020, church leadership sent out an email to congregation members announcing Kendal Kippen had been “removed” from his position as youth pastor, as of August that year. He later resigned entirely from the church staff, according to the email.
After that email was sent, Pastor Keith Kippen took a leave of absence from all church activities at Jake’s House. But in August 2021, the church’s lead pastor made plans to return at the end of the month. The unexpected turn prompted the entire apostolic team of church elders to step down: The resignation was announced at a worship service Aug. 1, 2021. Jake’s House reportedly lost over half of its congregation in the weeks that followed.
ARLINGTON — A former youth pastor at an Arlington church has been arrested for investigation of three counts of third-degree child rape.
Kendal Kippen, 26, of Stanwood, worked at Jake’s House Church in 2017 and 2018, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. His father was the pastor.
Kippen, then 22, began “grooming” a 15-year-old girl who attended the church, the sheriff’s office reported. He would drive her home and talk to her via social media, according to a news release sent out Wednesday by the sheriff’s office.
“On multiple occasions, the suspect convinced the 15-year-old victim to sneak out of her residence, and the suspect picked her up and drove the victim to his residence in Stanwood,” the news release reads.
The youth pastor was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Snohomish County Jail in Everett. Hours later, he posted $30,000 bond.
Another young woman told The Daily Herald she was also a victim of Kippen’s abuse beginning in 2016. She said she also knew the youth pastor through Jake’s House. She was 17.
According to her, Kippen began talking with her on social media. At first, they were friends. But as time passed, Kippen started sending her sexually explicit messages. He sent her nude photos, too, she said. “He would always find ways to get me alone,” she said. “He was my youth pastor, so I realized it was not OK,” she said. “We were learning about all this stuff at church — about purity, saving yourself for marriage. The person who was saying that at the pulpit was not doing it behind closed doors.”
She believes other victims are out there — as do two other congregation members who spoke with The Herald on condition of anonymity.
The youth pastor’s parents, Keith and Karmen Kippen, are lead pastors at Jake’s House.
In November 2020, church leadership sent out an email to congregation members announcing Kendal Kippen had been “removed” from his position as youth pastor, as of August that year. He later resigned entirely from the church staff, according to the email.
After that email was sent, Pastor Keith Kippen took a leave of absence from all church activities at Jake’s House. But in August 2021, the church’s lead pastor made plans to return at the end of the month. The unexpected turn prompted the entire apostolic team of church elders to step down: The resignation was announced at a worship service Aug. 1, 2021. Jake’s House reportedly lost over half of its congregation in the weeks that followed.
Mar 2022
A pastor’s son and Conroe church worship leader was sentenced to prison Wednesday, convicted of victimizing a congregant by committing indecency with a child and online solicitation of a minor.
Jonathan Ryan Ensey, 37, of Montgomery, was found guilty of both second-degree felony offenses. Charging documents show Ensey, while a Living Way Church music director in August 2019, kissed and fondled the underage teen girl he knew since she was 9. Ensey, documents outline, sent girl multiple photos of himself nude and texted her sexually explicit messages that included expressed a want to “hurt” her.
Ensey also asked the girl to send him explicit videos, requests she did not oblige, the DA’s Office mentioned.
The girl’s family knew Ensey for all the many years they had attended the church and the father believed the worship leader was fully aware of his daughter’s age, the affidavit continued.
In the two months prior, Ensey had been texting the youth, using his personal Instagram account to chat with her and sent her several nude photos of himself, an investigating Texas Ranger detailed in the affidavit.
The girl told the Texas Ranger she and Ensey had met privately twice, once on the afternoon of Aug. 6, 2019 at a Lake Conroe marina and the following night at a convenience store on Texas 105 in Montgomery, according to charging documents.
At the marina, Ensey kissed the girl in the backseat of his Toyota 4Runner and grabbed her breast and buttocks under her clothing, court documents reveal. There was sexual contact between the two inside Ensey’s SUV at the store parking lot, court records further disclosed.
A court order yielded records for Ensey’s personal and proxy Instagram accounts and showed multiple sexually oriented messages and photos. The DA’s Office pointed out there were thousands of messages exchanged between the defendant and the victim within a five-week span.
“I want to make you hurt so good,” read one message from Ensey to the girl as he went on to describe a sexual encounter he wanted to have with her, court documents show. A follow-up message read, “Yeah…I want to hurt you.”
Before going to law enforcement about the messages found on the girl’s iPhone, her parents went to their pastor, the DA’s Office noted. The parents turned to the Texas Rangers when Pastor Randy Ensey, the defendant’s father, took no “substantive action,” according to prosecutors.
Pastor Ensey testified at sentencing, asking for leniency for his son and refusing to agree the victim was in no way at fault, the District Attorney’s Office pointed out.
Prosecutors showed Pastor Ensey tried to have a Living Way Church parishioner and relative of the victim pressure the girl to “have mercy” on her abuser, the DA’s Office detailed. The pastor also met with the girl’s current pastor and asked him to intervene similarly, the District Attorney’s Office added.
A pastor’s son and Conroe church worship leader was sentenced to prison Wednesday, convicted of victimizing a congregant by committing indecency with a child and online solicitation of a minor.
Jonathan Ryan Ensey, 37, of Montgomery, was found guilty of both second-degree felony offenses. Charging documents show Ensey, while a Living Way Church music director in August 2019, kissed and fondled the underage teen girl he knew since she was 9. Ensey, documents outline, sent girl multiple photos of himself nude and texted her sexually explicit messages that included expressed a want to “hurt” her.
Ensey also asked the girl to send him explicit videos, requests she did not oblige, the DA’s Office mentioned.
The girl’s family knew Ensey for all the many years they had attended the church and the father believed the worship leader was fully aware of his daughter’s age, the affidavit continued.
In the two months prior, Ensey had been texting the youth, using his personal Instagram account to chat with her and sent her several nude photos of himself, an investigating Texas Ranger detailed in the affidavit.
The girl told the Texas Ranger she and Ensey had met privately twice, once on the afternoon of Aug. 6, 2019 at a Lake Conroe marina and the following night at a convenience store on Texas 105 in Montgomery, according to charging documents.
At the marina, Ensey kissed the girl in the backseat of his Toyota 4Runner and grabbed her breast and buttocks under her clothing, court documents reveal. There was sexual contact between the two inside Ensey’s SUV at the store parking lot, court records further disclosed.
A court order yielded records for Ensey’s personal and proxy Instagram accounts and showed multiple sexually oriented messages and photos. The DA’s Office pointed out there were thousands of messages exchanged between the defendant and the victim within a five-week span.
“I want to make you hurt so good,” read one message from Ensey to the girl as he went on to describe a sexual encounter he wanted to have with her, court documents show. A follow-up message read, “Yeah…I want to hurt you.”
Before going to law enforcement about the messages found on the girl’s iPhone, her parents went to their pastor, the DA’s Office noted. The parents turned to the Texas Rangers when Pastor Randy Ensey, the defendant’s father, took no “substantive action,” according to prosecutors.
Pastor Ensey testified at sentencing, asking for leniency for his son and refusing to agree the victim was in no way at fault, the District Attorney’s Office pointed out.
Prosecutors showed Pastor Ensey tried to have a Living Way Church parishioner and relative of the victim pressure the girl to “have mercy” on her abuser, the DA’s Office detailed. The pastor also met with the girl’s current pastor and asked him to intervene similarly, the District Attorney’s Office added.
Apr 2022
ST. JOSEPH, Mi. -- Leroy Lane Jr. has been a pastor in Benton Harbor for over twenty years, and preached at Straight Gate Pentecostal Power Church -- the congregation on Pipestone Street-- now re-named New Birth Apostolic Church after cutting all ties with Pastor Lane when several allegations were made against him preying on teenage girls from his church.
According to court documents Pastor Lane paid for an apartment for a teenage girl at this church whose family was struggling financially, and in 2018, he allegedly entered the apartment twice-- without her knowledge-- and sexually assaulting her, one time telling her that he wanted to do that for years after having intercourse with her, and another time he told her he came in to "tuck her in for the night," before another assault.
Lane is also accused of inappropriately touching a thirteen-year old girl in 2020-- picking her up against her will and putting her on his lap, then touching her inner thigh and backside.
Police began investigating Lane Jr. after the thirteen-year old came forward, though he denies the assaults and has claimed that any prior sexual encounters were consensual.
After being ousted from Straight Gate, Lane now preaches at Rhema Word Ministries on Napier Avenue.
ST. JOSEPH, Mi. -- Leroy Lane Jr. has been a pastor in Benton Harbor for over twenty years, and preached at Straight Gate Pentecostal Power Church -- the congregation on Pipestone Street-- now re-named New Birth Apostolic Church after cutting all ties with Pastor Lane when several allegations were made against him preying on teenage girls from his church.
According to court documents Pastor Lane paid for an apartment for a teenage girl at this church whose family was struggling financially, and in 2018, he allegedly entered the apartment twice-- without her knowledge-- and sexually assaulting her, one time telling her that he wanted to do that for years after having intercourse with her, and another time he told her he came in to "tuck her in for the night," before another assault.
Lane is also accused of inappropriately touching a thirteen-year old girl in 2020-- picking her up against her will and putting her on his lap, then touching her inner thigh and backside.
Police began investigating Lane Jr. after the thirteen-year old came forward, though he denies the assaults and has claimed that any prior sexual encounters were consensual.
After being ousted from Straight Gate, Lane now preaches at Rhema Word Ministries on Napier Avenue.
May 2022
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The grandfather and uncle of a 3-year-old girl killed last fall during an exorcism at a Northern California church were arrested this week in connection with her death, police said Friday.
The child, Arely Naomi Proctor, died last September after family members performed a ceremony because they believed she was "possessed by an evil spirit," court documents show. The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide caused by asphyxiation.
Police on Wednesday arrested Rene Trigueros-Hernandez, the child's grandfather and pastor of the Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas - Pentecostal church in San Jose, and Rene Hernandez-Santos, the child's uncle. They were arrested on charges of child abuse leading to the death of the victim, the San Jose Police Department said in a statement.
The girl's mother was previously arrested in the child's death
In January, the girl's mother, Claudia Hernandez-Santos, was arrested and charged with assault on a child resulting in death.
According to court records, Claudia Hernandez-Santos told police she believed her daughter was possessed because she would "wake up and scream or cry periodically." She and her brother brought the child to the church on Sept. 24, where they were joined by their father to perform an exorcism.
Claudia Hernandez-Santos told police she attempted to stick her finger down her daughter's throat to induce vomiting and that the child "fell asleep several times" while she pushed down on her throat with her hand, court documents show.
The child's mother is accused of depriving the girl of food and of holding her neck and squeezing it while the grandfather and uncle held the child down.
Claudia Hernandez-Santos told police that after her daughter became unresponsive they waited two hours to call police, records show.
The grandfather told the Mercury News last week that he performed a ceremony on the child to "liberate her of her evil spirits." "If you read the Bible, you'll see that Jesus casts away demons and made sick people healthy again," he told the newspaper. "It's not when I want to do it, it's when God, in his will, wants to heal the person. The preacher is like an instrument of God; what we do is what God says."
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The grandfather and uncle of a 3-year-old girl killed last fall during an exorcism at a Northern California church were arrested this week in connection with her death, police said Friday.
The child, Arely Naomi Proctor, died last September after family members performed a ceremony because they believed she was "possessed by an evil spirit," court documents show. The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide caused by asphyxiation.
Police on Wednesday arrested Rene Trigueros-Hernandez, the child's grandfather and pastor of the Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas - Pentecostal church in San Jose, and Rene Hernandez-Santos, the child's uncle. They were arrested on charges of child abuse leading to the death of the victim, the San Jose Police Department said in a statement.
The girl's mother was previously arrested in the child's death
In January, the girl's mother, Claudia Hernandez-Santos, was arrested and charged with assault on a child resulting in death.
According to court records, Claudia Hernandez-Santos told police she believed her daughter was possessed because she would "wake up and scream or cry periodically." She and her brother brought the child to the church on Sept. 24, where they were joined by their father to perform an exorcism.
Claudia Hernandez-Santos told police she attempted to stick her finger down her daughter's throat to induce vomiting and that the child "fell asleep several times" while she pushed down on her throat with her hand, court documents show.
The child's mother is accused of depriving the girl of food and of holding her neck and squeezing it while the grandfather and uncle held the child down.
Claudia Hernandez-Santos told police that after her daughter became unresponsive they waited two hours to call police, records show.
The grandfather told the Mercury News last week that he performed a ceremony on the child to "liberate her of her evil spirits." "If you read the Bible, you'll see that Jesus casts away demons and made sick people healthy again," he told the newspaper. "It's not when I want to do it, it's when God, in his will, wants to heal the person. The preacher is like an instrument of God; what we do is what God says."
Jun 2022
LANGLADE COUNTY, Wis. - Two former United Pentecostal Church pastors were charged with felony counts related to sexual assault of a child incidents. 42-year-old Travis Huse faces 31 felony counts and 64-year-old Scott Huse faces 12 felony counts. All charges are related to sexual assault incidents. The Huses are father and son.
We first alerted you the Huses were associated with Apostolic Worship Center and the former Evergreen Christian Academy near Elton in Langlade County. Then, in the early 2000s, they moved and were involved with Cornerstone Worship Center in Fond du Lac. Westen said the assaults in question occurred while the Huse family worked in Langlade County.
Travis and Scott are in custody at the Langlade County Jail. Travis is in on a $1 million cash bond and Scott, a $250,000 cash bond.
LANGLADE COUNTY, Wis. - Two former United Pentecostal Church pastors were charged with felony counts related to sexual assault of a child incidents. 42-year-old Travis Huse faces 31 felony counts and 64-year-old Scott Huse faces 12 felony counts. All charges are related to sexual assault incidents. The Huses are father and son.
We first alerted you the Huses were associated with Apostolic Worship Center and the former Evergreen Christian Academy near Elton in Langlade County. Then, in the early 2000s, they moved and were involved with Cornerstone Worship Center in Fond du Lac. Westen said the assaults in question occurred while the Huse family worked in Langlade County.
Travis and Scott are in custody at the Langlade County Jail. Travis is in on a $1 million cash bond and Scott, a $250,000 cash bond.
Oct. 2022
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. — An Andrews-area pastor was arrested Thursday on 11 warrants from Maryland in connection to a decades-old case involving minors, the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday.
Thomas James Brackett, 59, was arrested at his home on Gapway Road without incident, deputies say. He is being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center awaiting extradition to Baltimore County to face the nearly a dozen charges, which include multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct with minors.
Brackett, who serves as the pastor of Holy Trinity Pentecostal Church, is accused of misconduct with children during his time as a teacher and youth pastor at Tabernacle Christian Church in the 1980s.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. — An Andrews-area pastor was arrested Thursday on 11 warrants from Maryland in connection to a decades-old case involving minors, the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday.
Thomas James Brackett, 59, was arrested at his home on Gapway Road without incident, deputies say. He is being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center awaiting extradition to Baltimore County to face the nearly a dozen charges, which include multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct with minors.
Brackett, who serves as the pastor of Holy Trinity Pentecostal Church, is accused of misconduct with children during his time as a teacher and youth pastor at Tabernacle Christian Church in the 1980s.
Jan 2023
A Pentecostal pastor in Florida reportedly pleaded guilty this week to crimes stemming from the years-long sexual abuse of a young girl.
Rafael Cuevas, 55, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years’ probation as part of a plea deal. He’ll also have to register as a sex offender.
Authorities alleged that Cuevas molested a girl for four years. The girl told investigators Cuevas abused her four to five times a week from 2017 until June 2020, according to the affidavit, including at the church where Cuevas pastored.
The girl, who was under 12 years old the entire time she said Cuevas abused her, also said Cuevas told her not to tell anyone, according to the affidavit. Authorities claimed in the affidavit that Cuevas showed pornography to her, too.
Another girl also told police Cuevas molested her multiple times, according to the affidavit.
Court records show prosecutors charged Cuevas with three felony counts of sexual battery of a victim under 12 years old, and five felony counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years old.
A 2015 photo shows Cuevas leading a Children’s Day event at a Jacksonville church, Templo de Oración, which translated in English is Temple of Prayer. Cuevas’s late father, Gabriel Cuevas, built the small Spanish-speaking Pentecostal church in the 1970s. The son reportedly took over leading the church after the elder Cuevas’s death in 2015.
A Pentecostal pastor in Florida reportedly pleaded guilty this week to crimes stemming from the years-long sexual abuse of a young girl.
Rafael Cuevas, 55, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years’ probation as part of a plea deal. He’ll also have to register as a sex offender.
Authorities alleged that Cuevas molested a girl for four years. The girl told investigators Cuevas abused her four to five times a week from 2017 until June 2020, according to the affidavit, including at the church where Cuevas pastored.
The girl, who was under 12 years old the entire time she said Cuevas abused her, also said Cuevas told her not to tell anyone, according to the affidavit. Authorities claimed in the affidavit that Cuevas showed pornography to her, too.
Another girl also told police Cuevas molested her multiple times, according to the affidavit.
Court records show prosecutors charged Cuevas with three felony counts of sexual battery of a victim under 12 years old, and five felony counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years old.
A 2015 photo shows Cuevas leading a Children’s Day event at a Jacksonville church, Templo de Oración, which translated in English is Temple of Prayer. Cuevas’s late father, Gabriel Cuevas, built the small Spanish-speaking Pentecostal church in the 1970s. The son reportedly took over leading the church after the elder Cuevas’s death in 2015.
Feb 2023
LEON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) -Two Leon County brothers with pastoral leadership positions at churches in Centerville and Buffalo were arrested following grand jury indictments Wednesday. Clark A. Travis was arrested in Buffalo by Leon County Sheriff’s deputies without incident Tuesday night. Matthew T. Travis Jr. surrendered himself to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office jail late Wednesday night.
The duo is accused of sexually assaulting at least five children, according to authorities.
Clark was booked and charged with five counts of Sexual Assault of a Child, and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child-Continuous: Victim under 14. He is currently being held in the Leon County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.
Matthew was booked and charged with three counts of Sexual Assault of a Child and is also being held in the Leon County Jail on a $600,000 bond.
Matthew and Clark serve as spiritual leaders at Apostolic Life United Pentecostal Church in Buffalo and Centerville Apostolic Church in Centerville.
LEON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) -Two Leon County brothers with pastoral leadership positions at churches in Centerville and Buffalo were arrested following grand jury indictments Wednesday. Clark A. Travis was arrested in Buffalo by Leon County Sheriff’s deputies without incident Tuesday night. Matthew T. Travis Jr. surrendered himself to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office jail late Wednesday night.
The duo is accused of sexually assaulting at least five children, according to authorities.
Clark was booked and charged with five counts of Sexual Assault of a Child, and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child-Continuous: Victim under 14. He is currently being held in the Leon County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.
Matthew was booked and charged with three counts of Sexual Assault of a Child and is also being held in the Leon County Jail on a $600,000 bond.
Matthew and Clark serve as spiritual leaders at Apostolic Life United Pentecostal Church in Buffalo and Centerville Apostolic Church in Centerville.
Mar. 2023
CHALMETTE, LA. — A Chalmette pastor was arrested by State Police on Wednesday on suspicion of sexual abuse of a minor over the course of three years.
A State Police spokesperson said in a press release that Milton O. Martin III, 56, was booked with carnal knowledge of a juvenile and sexual battery.
Martin was accused of having "sexual relations with a juvenile on multiple occasions" from 2010 to 2013, with a victim of unspecified gender who was between the ages of 14 and 17 at the time.
Although the church where Martin serves was not identified by authorities, WWL-TV identified Martin as the current pastor for the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette via their Facebook page.
Martin has held that position for more than 14 years, meaning the alleged abuse would have started shortly after he began that job.
CHALMETTE, LA. — A Chalmette pastor was arrested by State Police on Wednesday on suspicion of sexual abuse of a minor over the course of three years.
A State Police spokesperson said in a press release that Milton O. Martin III, 56, was booked with carnal knowledge of a juvenile and sexual battery.
Martin was accused of having "sexual relations with a juvenile on multiple occasions" from 2010 to 2013, with a victim of unspecified gender who was between the ages of 14 and 17 at the time.
Although the church where Martin serves was not identified by authorities, WWL-TV identified Martin as the current pastor for the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette via their Facebook page.
Martin has held that position for more than 14 years, meaning the alleged abuse would have started shortly after he began that job.
~ ~ ~
Well, there you have it, Pentecostals behaving badly - behaving badly, just like Christians from any and every other denomination.
Christian, are you one of those who believes that your denomination has the "truth" and that all other denominations are either slightly wrong, completely wrong, or are doing the work of Satan?
Do you believe that your church leadership, your ministers, are truly men of God in spite of the fact that the pastor of your church could very likely be a lying, thieving, raping pedophile - even if he has been "filled with the Holy Ghost" and speaks in tongues?
bob
r.u.reasonable@gmail.com
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