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	Delaware County Pastor Charged with Rape By Dana Wilson Columbus Dispatch March 10, 2008 http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/03/10/williams.html?sid=101 DELAWARE, Ohio — A Delaware County minister has been charged with raping a 15-year-old girl who arranged to meet with him last week to talk about her grades, authorities said today. Brian L. Williams, 45, the head pastor of Sunbury Grace Brethren Church, was arrested Friday by Sunbury police and charged with one count of rape in Delaware Municipal Court. Williams lives at 3159 Berlin Station Rd. in Delaware. The teen said the rape took place Thursday afternoon at the church, on Perfect Drive in Sunbury, court records show. The victim had an appointment with Williams that day, and a family member dropped her off at the church, Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost said yesterday. Williams is accused of forcing her to perform oral sex before removing her clothes and assaulting her. The girl and her family contacted police the next day and filed a report. Sunbury Police Officer Rob Howard described the suspect-victim relationship as "acquaintance" on his report. Investigators are unsure whether the girl is a member of Williams' church, but the two were familiar with each other, Sunbury Police Chief Pat Bennett said. He declined to elaborate. "We're still investigating. We're right in the middle of it." At this point, the investigation has not led to other victims, Yost said. Sunbury Grace Brethren Church's congregation had merged with Grace Baptist. In 2006, the Sunbury Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request for a sign variance made by Williams. At the time, Williams said the merger was a good thing for both groups and that Grace Baptist was " dwindling and struggling." Williams, who was being held in the Delaware County jail after his arrest, posted bond yesterday and was released. He was under house arrest and temporarily living with a church member on Berlin Station Road, Yost said. A man who answered the phone at that house declined to comment. A message left at Williams' residence was not returned yesterday. Williams' attorney, Ross Long, did not return a phone message seeking comment. The case could be presented to a Delaware County grand jury as soon as next week. If convicted of rape, Williams could face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Contact: dwilson@dispatch.com
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