LONG BEACH (MS)
WLOX [Biloxi, MS]
June 17, 2024
By WLOX staff
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 sexual 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.
Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley said Jones was also a reserve deputy with the department. Jones served from 2018 to November of 2022. He was asked to leave after the allegations were made, according to Sheriff Haley.
Reserve deputies serve as needed or during special events. Reserves do not fall under civil service protection.
Chief Seal says “We suspect there may be more victims”, and urges anyone with information to come forward.
This is an ongoing investigation. We will update this story as new information becomes available.