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	Gig Harbor Pastor Charged with Sexually Assaulting a Young Relative By Stacey Mulick News Tribune [Gig Harbor WA] May 8, 2007 http://www.thenewstribune.com/441/story/57700.html Pierce County prosecutors charged a former Gig Harbor pastor Tuesday with six sex crimes, alleging he sexually assaulted a 7-year-old female relative. Stephen Philip Kerr, 31, pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree child rape and two counts of first-degree child molestation during his arraignment Tuesday afternoon. A judge ordered him held in Pierce County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. During the court appearance, he also was ordered to have no contact with any minor children, including the alleged victim. The girl told a friend about the sexual abuse, Pierce County sheriff's detective Sgt. Jerry Bates said. The friend told a youth pastor at the Gig Harbor Church of the Nazarene, where Kerr was a pastor. The youth pastor reported the allegations to Child Protective Services, which called the Sheriff's Department. The girl was interviewed at Mary Bridge's Children's Hospital and offered services, Bates said. After the allegations came to light, Kerr's credentials at the church were revoked. Accompanied by his attorneys, Kerr turned himself into law enforcement Monday. Bates said the allegations involve only one victim. The girl remains with her family.
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