Staunton Church Director Arrested on Child Molestation Charges, by Brad Zinn, News-Leader, August 24, 2009

Staunton Church Director Arrested on Child Molestation Charges

By Brad Zinn
News-Leader
August 24, 2009

http://www.newsleader.com/article/20090824/NEWS01/90824011/1002/NEWS01/Staunton+church+ director+arrested+on+child+molestation+charges

Christ United Methodist Church on allegations he molested a 7-year-old girl at the Churchville Avenue church, according to the Staunton Police Department.

Steven B. Joplin, 59, of Middlebrook is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

Staunton police spokeswoman Officer Lisa Klein said the alleged sexual assaults took place at the church between July 26 and Aug. 12.

Joplin
Photo by Staunton Police Department

"He worked at the church as director of Christian education," Klein said.

The victim reported the alleged molestations Aug. 14.

Joplin is being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. A bond hearing is scheduled today in Staunton Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Klein said additional charges are expected against Joplin, and said there is the possibility that more than one victim was sexually assaulted at the church.

The Rev. Bob Edwards, pastor at the church, said he agreed with Klein's statement. "There could be more than one" victim, he said.

Edwards said Joplin worked full-time at the Christ United Methodist Church for two years and was heavily involved in its operations. He described Joplin as "a very caring, compassionate person. He could identify with anyone. He was a very positive influence in the church."

Edwards said he informed the congregation Sunday that police had arrested Joplin, and that the director had been relieved of his duties.

"It's a shock," he said. "We never saw this coming. It just wasn't the person we knew."

Joplin had a hand in many of the church's functions, including youth groups, programming ideas and bible studies, Edwards said. "A number of us, of course, will have to pick up the slack."

Asked how the allegations will affect the church, Edwards said, "At this point, we don't know what the affect is going to be."

Edwards said there are plans to minister the affected families on the alleged molestations. "It's going to be a long-term process," he said.