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	Teenager Testifies Pastor Fondled Her, Asked for Sex By Lauren Pack Western Star December 4, 2007 http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/12/03/hjn120407curtis.html HAMILTON — A teenage girl testified Monday that a Hamilton pastor fondled her and asked her for oral sex during an encounter this year at her parent's home. The 17-year-old testified in Butler County Common Pleas Court for three hours during the trial of Rev. Bruce Alvin Curtis, 54, a religious leader at Community Friendship Church of God in Christ in Hamilton, who is charged with attempted sexual battery, a fourth-degree felony, and sexual imposition, a third-degree misdemeanor. The alleged incident occurred on Feb. 21 at Curtis' residence in the 1000 block of Chestnut Street in Fairfield. Police detectives say Curtis inappropriately touched the victim and the crime was elevated because of his authority over her as a pastor. Curtis faces up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine for the felony charge, plus 60 days in jail and a $500 fine for the misdemeanor charge. Defense attorney Muhammad Hamidullah said the victim and her family were not members of Curtis' church at the time of the alleged incident. The victim said she and her family joined the church in 1996 where she had been involved in a number of activities on a regular basis until late 2006, when she stopped attending services. She said Curtis still called her home and stopped by on three occasions. On one occasion, she alleges Curtis stayed for about two hours and talked to her about sexual problems he and his wife were having. She testified that during the conversation Curtis exposed himself and asked her for oral sex. She also claimed he attempted to touch her between her legs. During cross examination, Hamidullah pointed out testimony the girl gave in June during a preliminary hearing in which she said she was not a member of the church when the incident occurred. Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com
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