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	Benton Choir Minister Arrested for Alleged Sexual Indecency with a Child By Katherina-Marie Yancy Today's THV April 29, 2009 http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=84020 Earlier this week the Saline County Sheriff's Department received information that a leader in the community allegedly had inappropriate conduct with a minor. David Pierce, 56, has been the choir minister at First Baptist Church in Benton for 28 years. Authorities say last week a teenager's family contacted the church about the alleged misconduct. The complaint then went down the chain of command from DHS to the State Police Crimes against Children and then to the Saline County Sheriff's Department. In a press conference Friday, Sheriff Bruce Pennington says, "We arrested Mr. Pierce on one count of sexual indecency with a child." Sheriff Pennington says the First Baptist Church staff heard an out cry from several teens about alleged misconduct by Choir minister David Pierce. After those allegations, Pastor Rick Grant sent us a statement. It reads, "First Baptist Church has terminated the employment of David Pierce, our longtime music minister, as a result of serious moral failures on his part. The events for which he was terminated occurred several years ago, but left the church no alternative other than to dismiss him." "Anytime something like this happens involving children because I'm a father and grandfather it touches home," Pennington adds. Officials say more folks have come forward alleging misconduct by David Pierce, but they are still investigating whether any incidents may have happened at the church of more than 2,000 congregants. Sheriff Pennington pleads, "If there are any other people with any knowledge of these occurrences or anything has happened to them please feel free to come forward." Pierce has been with the church for 28 years and has no prior arrests. The child is still a minor so police aren't releasing any details of the case. Sheriff Pennington also attends First Baptist Church and says he felt obligated to physically arrest Pierce and now the community will have to pull together to get through this. He explains, "I felt it would be more comfortable for me doing it [arresting him] rather than one of my deputies, and I want people to be aware regardless of your stature in this community we're not going to condone these actions." If charged, Pierce can face one to six years for a class D felony for sexual indecency with a child. David Pierce will remain in custody until he goes before a judge Monday morning. If you have any further information you're asked to contact the Saline County Sheriff's Department.
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