Youth Pastor Charged with Raping 14 year old, WXII, March 6, 2009

Youth Pastor Charged with Raping 14-year-old

WXII
March 6, 2009

http://www.wxii12.com/news/18871564/detail.html

[with video]

Incidents Happened Over 3-Month Period, Police Say

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- A 29-year-old man who served as the youth pastor at Hayworth Wesleyan Church and as the athletic director at the church-sponsored school was charged Thursday with raping a 14-year-old.

High Point police said they responded to the victim's home after receiving a 911 call that a sexual assault had just happened at the home.

Police said the victim's parent caught Benjamin Douglas Caldwell, 29, inside the home around noon Thursday and detained him until police could arrive.

Police said that during their investigation Caldwell admitted to several crimes, including statutory rape, statutory sex offense and taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Police said the alleged incidents began happening in January.

Caldwell was charged with six counts of statutory rape of a 14-year-old, three counts of statutory sex offense against a 14-year-old and eight counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Church officials said Caldwell had been fired.

"We regret the sad circumstances that have led up to the dismissal of Ben Caldwell as student ministries pastor at Hayworth Wesleyan Church and as athletic director at Hayworth Christian school," Hayworth Wesleyan Church pastor David Emory said in a statement.

Caldwell was being held in the Guilford County Jail in High Point on a $500,000 bond.

Police said they are looking into the possibility that there could be other victims.

"We don't know if there is any other victims, and that is what they are looking into right now and seeing what comes up," said Lt. Steve Meyers.

According to the church's Web site, the Hayworth Christian School is a ministry of the church. Police said that in addition to his duties as the church's youth minister, Caldwell also served as the athletic director at the school.

"We obviously do not condone his actions. Quite the contrary, we condemn his actions as sinful, hurtful and illegal. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family at this difficult time. In addition, although she was not a part of this church or the school, we extend our deep concerns to the victim and family," Emory said.

Anyone with more details about the case is asked to call the High Point Police Department.