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Youth Ministry Volunteer Jailed; Faces Sex Charges Orlando Sentinel November 4, 2007 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/southwest/orl-cfbriefs04_107nov04,0,2204333.story LAKELAND - A volunteer youth minister at the First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland is accused of having had sexual contact over five to seven years with youths he met at the church, according to an arrest affidavit. He paid money to some, either for the acts or as hush money, authorities said. Marshal A. Seymour, 40, of Lakeland, faces charges of unlawful sexual activity, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and three counts of using a child in sexual performance. Church officials cooperated fully with authorities, a Lakeland Police Department spokeswoman said, and released Seymour from duty immediately when the investigation began about three weeks ago. Seymour is married and has a fire-safety equipment business. Arrest documents say he told one boy, 17, that no one would believe him if he told, then paid him $400 to keep quiet. Seymour told authorities he thought the boy was 18. The arrest affidavit says he tried to bribe a hotel authority to remove his name from records after learning of the investigation. Seymour is being held on $325,000 bail in the Polk County Jail. The Church at the Mall, one of the largest churches in the state, is at 1010 E. Main St. |
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