Criminal Clergy (2025)

20/07/2024

FLORIDA- "TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A pastor at a Weeki Wachee church was accused of s*xually battering a teenage family member, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in a release Thursday.

The girl told deputies William Martinez, 55, gave her a THC gummy and a drink that tasted “funny” before touching her inappropriately, according to HCSO.

Martinez was then accused of s*xually battering her. A member of the family reported the alleged s*xual abuse to HCSO.
The girl tested positive for alcohol and THC, according to the sheriff’s office. Martinez, a pastor at Kingdom of Hope Ministries in Weeki Wachee, denied the allegations when questioned by deputies."
Source: News Channel 8

A pastor at a Weeki Wachee church was accused of s*xually battering a teenage family member, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in a release Thursday.

30/06/2024

OKLAHOMA - "Tulsa Police arrested a local pastor who investigators said was taking pictures of other men in a gym restroom.

Police said a victim looked up and saw Gary McCray recording him with a cell phone over the top of a private stall.

They said the victim then saw McCray trying to delete the photos, but the victim grabbed McCray's phone."
Source: News On 6 Oklahoma
https://www.newson6.com/story/667e20cdc24568ef8eed4987/local-pastor-arrested-accused-of-peeping-tom-in-tulsa?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1x6IUpljZ5HqdcrG5tuHENpCUUETR4ZESSy5Ap8jrfGtuDnqZ0O2VIGCg_aem_1C5iM8-92kZDu_FrtrjEgQ

Tulsa Police arrested a local pastor who investigators said was taking pictures of other men in a gym restroom.

22/06/2024

TEXAS - "LUBBOCK COUNTY, Texas — A staff member at a Granbury church – and formerly a youth pastor at a church in Lubbock – has been arrested on a charge of s*xual assault of a child, jail records show.

Luke Cunningham, 41, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in the 1400 block of 15th Street in Shallowater and booked into Lubbock County Jail on Wednesday. Turning Point Community Church in Lubbock said it was contacted by Lakeside Baptist Church about the allegations surrounding Cunningham on June 3. Turning Point said Lakeside Baptist had learned of potential victims during Cunningham's time of service at Turning Point, which dated from 2016 to 2020. Cunningham served as Student Pastor."
Source: WFAA ABC Dallas

The 41-year-old man had previously served as a youth pastor at a church in Lubbock and was reported to police by a Granbury church prior to his arrest.

22/06/2024

FLORIDA - "PALMETTO, Fla. - A pastor in Palmetto is under arrest, accused of possession of child po*******hy.

On Thursday, detectives with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office received information that Jonathan Elwing, 43, used cryptocurrency to make an online purchase of child s*xual abuse material. Elwing was senior pastor of Palm View Baptist Church. On Friday, a search warrant was executed at the church and his home. Detectives found four s*xually explicit images of children on his cellphone. He was taken into custody and booked at the Manatee County Jail."
Source: Fox 13 Tampa Bay

A pastor in Palmetto is under arrest, accused of possession of child po*******hy.

19/06/2024

MISSISSIPPI - "LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) - A former youth pastor out of First Baptist Church in Long Beach, who was also a former Harrison County reserve deputy, has been arrested on two counts of s*xual battery and one count of touching a child for lustful purposes.

Long Beach Police Chief Billy Seal says the investigation began in November of 2022 when the family of a female victim alerted authorities, alleging that pastor John Douglas Jones was abusing the victim.

Jones was arrested after he was indicted by a grand jury. He left the church shortly after the investigation began in 2022.

Officials say Jones and the victim met through the youth program at First Baptist Church. Chief Seal says “We suspect there may be more victims”, and urges anyone with information to come forward."
Source: WLOX 13 News Biloxi

A former youth pastor out of First Baptist Church in Long Beach has been arrested on two counts of s*xual battery and one count of touching a child for lustful purposes.

14/06/2024

NORTH CAROLINA "LAURINBURG, N.C. (WBTW) — A Laurinburg pastor has been accused of embezzling funds after an investigation revealed he was taking money from his church, police said.

On Monday, Clyde David Haywood, 38, of Laurinburg, was arrested at his home by police for embezzlement. Haywood is the pastor of Radical Praise Ministries, police said.

An investigation was initiated into Haywood in March after a report was made concerning suspicious bank card transactions from Radical Praise Ministries through Cash App, police said. After several financial search warrants, bank records, video evidence, and interviews, warrants were obtained for Haywood’s arrest.

He was placed in the Scotland County Detention Center under a $4,000.00 secured bond, police said.

The church, Radical Praise Ministries, took to Facebook defending their pastor and calling the allegations false."
Source: WBTW South Carolina
https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/laurinburg/laurinburg-pastor-accused-of-embezzling-funds-from-his-church-police-say/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3dwJslaWbubFWbEbKuHGvksaBkysbrpIvlW22uHLbLTQJUAqe2Mgk-i3g_aem_AWD4bGPGNY0cwZLGHLaX4yPyLn72vTH1ag1eZEZqLIQq6J-Op5zmMf-u_Z3yZsYCR0r9dFJw6nAIouTVx5uPgNIi

LAURINBURG, N.C. (WBTW) — A Laurinburg pastor has been accused of embezzling funds after an investigation revealed he was taking money from his church, police said. On Monday, Clyde David Hay…

12/06/2024

TENNESSEE - "JACKSON, Tenn. — A Jackson youth pastor has been arrested on r**e charges. According to booking information from the Madison County jail, 39-year-old Ryan McElrath was booked into the jail around 5:48 p.m. on Tuesday.

Jackson Police Department’s online Police To Citizen resource shows that McElrath was arrested at a residence on Willow Green Drive, with charges listed as s*xual battery by an authority figure, statutory r**e, and statutory r**e by an authority figure – forcible r**e.

In a social media post made by Fellowship Bible Church prior to his arrest — which is no longer accessible — McElrath is described as a “high school pastor.” At the time of this report, the church also has several videos on their website where McElrath can be seen as a featured speaker."
Source: WBBJ TV 7 Eyewitness News Jackson TN

JACKSON, Tennessee -- A Jackson pastor, 39-year-old Ryan McElrath, has been arrested on r**e charges, booking information shows.

03/06/2024

WASHINGTON STATE - "As a condition of his release, Henderson was ordered to have no contact with children, except for his own biological kids, and was not allowed to attend church. He is allowed to practice religion but not congregate.

On May 12, it was brought to the court's attention that he violated those orders.

According to new court documents obtained by FOX 13, a neighbor called Pierce County deputies on May 10 to anonymously report that Henderson was hosting numerous parties at his residence and was believed to be preaching out of his home. She said she was aware of his charges and the restrictions, and said she saw multiple juveniles and adults come and go from his home– young people who were not his children."
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/jordan-henderson-jail?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1YiYX5gwuYGeglFAeWV3jk0XxmzYhw1WDM9Vf_jjv6TN1qKSqLFaHCP8s_aem_AbHgvofDhASBc5C2FFun0DeGzHZ6v_KfZ65svZqAST_molf_Clr9nPyHaJRTQMbkDF2_gDpQPZTZyBBYWoDQQkx_

A Pierce County elementary teacher and pastor accused of s*xually molesting children is back in jail after he allegedly violated the conditions of his release after posting bail.

28/05/2024

ALABAMA - "MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A Montgomery pastor is in the county jail after a grand jury indicted him on charges of first-degree s*xual abuse and first-degree so**my.

Gregory Sheldon Cannon, 61, was arrested this week. Information about the allegations was not publicly released, but the indictment alleges the crimes were committed “by forcible compulsion.”

Cannon has been the pastor of Rice Temple A.O.H Church of God in Montgomery since 2003. He is also the first assistant presiding bishop over the A.O.H. Church of God.

Court records indicate Cannon is currently being held without bail. An “Aniah’s Law” hearing is scheduled for May 28."
Source: WSFA News 12
https://www.wsfa.com/2024/05/22/montgomery-pastor-indicted-s*x-crime-charges/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR24oko-e23_IlQSqqpDZPzlLJoEwO_ISiYgaBmV7NYVU8ei_hwygqcMwJg_aem_AZKS_74g9nh9BcSXXDSbIIsCSZOI04OapiwKQzuMub__-tBIPcbgmg5mMHhe6MtqzrSx5n_93JmeP3dCfegc2EIO

A Montgomery pastor is in the county jail after a grand jury indicted him on charges of first-degree s*xual abuse and first-degree so**my.

26/05/2024

SOUTH CAROLINA - "AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A 58-year-old Aiken County teacher and longtime pastor was arrested on five counts of s*xual exploitation of a minor after authorities say they found him in possession of child po*******hy.

North Augusta High School social studies teacher Charles Richard Wilson, of Aiken, was placed on administrative leave from Aiken County Public Schools after his arrest Wednesday, according to the district.

Before becoming a teacher, his LinkedIn account says he was the lead pastor at Langley First Baptist Church from November 2018 to May 2023. He also did mission work, including in Kenya, and spent 21 years as lead pastor at Oakwood Baptist Church in Lexington."
Source: WRDW Augusta Georgia
https://www.wrdw.com/2024/05/23/north-augusta-high-school-teacher-arrested-5-child-p**n-counts/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2Ik4DlD14DEOmu5AhOUQDWTlhZzwJQ58ywEjctDq2BgZH7hCKM8ui5KyY_aem_ASQiNBt1f9TPlwJJybYT0dvSQqf0WN6byeHkRhrQBvVA6BXeQ4ouptIYtnt9tB77jUv6ZrW2C_As3e6ecWA3vWrK

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigators with the Aiken Department of Public Safety arrested Charles Richard Wilson.

25/05/2024

CALIFORNIA - Three family members charged in the killing of a 3-year-old girl during an “exorcism” ritual at a San Jose church in 2021 have been ordered to stand trial in the case, authorities said. The trio pleaded not guilty Monday to one felony count of child abuse resulting in the death of toddler Arely Naomi Proctor, according to court records obtained by The Mercury News. Their next trial setting hearing is scheduled for Aug. 14; all three are being held without bail, the outlet reported. If convicted, they each face 25 years to life in prison. Proctor died Sept. 24, 2021, inside Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas, a Pentecostal church run by Trigueros Hernandez, authorities said. The family members were trying to perform a ritual to exorcise a “demon,” during which prosecutors say they squeezed and choked the young girl and tried to get her to vomit.

A coroner’s report determined that Arely died from asphyxiation and had blood in her lungs, brain swelling and injuries on her neck and inside her mouth, according to KRON4."
Source: The Los Angeles Times

Three family members charged in the 2021 killing of a 3-year-old girl during an exorcism ritual at a San Jose church are ordered to stand trial in the case, according to authorities.

23/05/2024

TEXAS - "RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) -- Gregorio Maldonado, a pastor in Stafford, was sentenced to one year in county jail plus a $4,000 fine for inappropriately touching a church member in 2021.

The Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office said the victim was afraid to come forward because of Maldonado's position in the Christian church and his status in her family.

In January 2022, the victim told her father about what happened, which led to a confrontation between Maldonado and her family.

Her father recorded Maldonado apologizing to the woman, saying he could not remember what happened, and said if anything did happen, the devil made him do it.

Maldonado was probation-eligible. The jury sentenced the 46-year-old to one year in jail plus a $4,000 fine.

Maldonado pastored at MAM Houston in the Triumph Church Sugar Land, located in the 10500 block of W. Airport."
Source: ABC News 13 Houston

The victim and her family lived at the pastor's home, where prosecutors say he assaulted her while everyone slept. Now, she plans on going to the police academy to become an investigator for s*xual crimes.

Criminal Clergy

20/07/2024

30/06/2024

22/06/2024

22/06/2024

19/06/2024

14/06/2024

12/06/2024

03/06/2024

28/05/2024

26/05/2024

25/05/2024

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