March 19, 2005

Sex assault allegations denied

By Anthony Spangler
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

ARLINGTON - Standing hand in hand with his wife and surrounded by supporters, Bishop Terry L. Hornbuckle on Friday denied criminal and civil allegations that he sexually assaulted three former parishioners.

Hornbuckle, 43, of Grapevine, faces four charges of sexual assault and one charge of possession of a controlled substance. Authorities said they found a small amount of methamphetamine in Hornbuckle's Cadillac Escalade when he was arrested March 11 near his Arlington church, Agape Christian Fellowship.

In two of the cases, he is accused of using date-rape drugs to overcome his victims, according to court documents.

"I'm here today to tell you that I am unequivocally and emphatically innocent of all these charges," Hornbuckle said during the news conference in a meeting room at the Arlington Wyndham hotel.

Posted by kshaw at March 19, 2005 06:53 AM