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	Pastor Bound over for Trial on Sex-Abuse Charges By Derek Spellman Joplin Globe June 10, 2008 http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_161201838.html NEOSHO, Mo. — A Neosho man identified as a self-anointed pastor of a fringe church will stand trial on multiple sexual-abuse charges. Randall "Danny" Russell, 49, pastor of the Acts II Church in rural Neosho, was bound over for trial after three women testified during his preliminary hearing Monday that he raped, molested or sodomized them when they were minors. Russell was bound over on one count of statutory rape in the second degree, two counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree, three counts of statutory sodomy in the second degree, one count of felony child abuse and two counts of child molestation in the first degree, ruled Newton County Associate Judge Gregory Stremel. Acts II Church, 11285 Mulberry Road, is part of larger compound that also contains Russell's home and a construction business he operates. The first alleged victim, now 20, to testify Monday accused Russell of abusing her when she was 16. Her allegations prompted prosecutors to file one count each of second-degree statutory rape, second-degree statutory sodomy and child abuse. She alleged that Russell first came on to her in a sexual manner in August 2003. While the two were in a car at Morse Park in Neosho, the woman alleged, Russell grabbed her hand and placed it on his crotch before he began kissing her. Russell, the woman said, allegedly had her take off her clothes after a church service in October 2003 and photographed her. Authorities recovered those photographs while executing a search warrant at the church in late April of this year. After those two encounters in August and October 2003, the woman alleged, oral sex and sexual intercourse took place into the spring of 2004. The woman testified that Russell initially performed oral sex on her, and she on him, as often as once a week and often on Sundays. Sometimes these acts occurred in a Jacuzzi at Russell's home, sometimes on a futon in the church offices, she said. Sexual intercourse took place several times before she turned 17, she said. When asked by Assistant Newton County Prosecutor Bill Dobbs whether Russell ever provided an explanation for his behavior, the woman replied, "He said I came to the church (because) I wanted to please God, and he said that pleasing my pastor was pleasing God." The woman acknowledged under cross-examination by Aaron Farber, Russell's defense attorney, that Russell at one time had proposed to marry her, even though he already was married, and that she had agreed to it. She said he bought her a ring and technically never withdrew the offer, although she said the two were never really engaged because Russell was married. She said Russell served as a "mentor" figure and for a time would sometimes take her shopping. She said she attended the church from 2003 until about two months ago. When Farber asked her why she finally left the church, she replied, "I finally realized it was wrong what was going on."
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