March 30, 2006

Local minister arrested on sexual battery charges

CROSSVILLE (TN)
WVLT

Crossville, Cumberland County (WVLT) - There was no doubt a big surprise for a Cumberland County minister as he walked out of a hearing at the old courthouse where he was met by sheriff's deputies waiting for him with a warrant for sexual battery by an authority figure.

Benji Dale Persinger is accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl at his home in Crossville.

Volunteer TV's Eric Waddell was there when Persinger was arrested behind the old Cumberland County Courthouse.

Persinger wasn't shy as sheriff's deputies and TV cameras surrounded him Wednesday. He claims, among other things, that he's innocent.

Posted by kshaw at March 30, 2006 08:23 AM