Volunteer Minister Accused of Sexual Battery, by Carli Shaffran, My Fox Orlando, September 4, 2009

Volunteer Minister Accused of Sexual Battery

By Carli Shaffran
My Fox Orlando
September 4, 2009

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/090409_Volunteer_minister_accused_of_sexual_battery

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A volunteer minister was arrested for custodial sexual battery of a12-year-old girl. His 18-year-old nephew was also arrested for lewd battery of the same girl.

Polk County detectives arrested 35-year-old Clevon Ghent of Lakeland, who is a volunteer minister at an Auburndale church and charged him with 5 counts custodial sexual battery on a 12-year-old girl.

Clevon Ghent

According to deputies, the alleged victim said that Ghent, whom she met at the church, had sexually abused her during the summer of 2009. Deputies say the girl also told detectives that Ghent's 18-year-old nephew, whom she also met at the church, had also sexually abused her.

Deputies say Ghent, manages Trinity Cleaning Service, a residential and commercial cleaning business owned and operated by the Born Again Church of God and Christ in Auburndale. According to the church pastor, Ghent is also a designated volunteer "minister" of the church.

Reports state that in mid-July, Ghent picked up the girl from her home and took her to his house to babysit his four children. During the ride to his house, Ghent allegedly told the girl that he was aware that she had been sexually active with his nephew, Gernard Jones. Reports say Jones was waiting at Ghent's house when they arrived. Ghent allegedly told Jones to take his children on a walk shortly after arriving at the home with the girl. Reports say when the girl asked to go with the other children, Ghent told her that she was grounded and had to stay in the house with him. After Jones left with Ghent's children, Ghent allegedly performed sex acts on the girl.

Towards the end of July, Ghent allegedly again sexually abused the girl in his son's bedroom.

Deputies say the last incidents of sexual abuse against the alleged victim occurred on August 26, 2009, and allegedly involved both suspects. During the investigation, detectives say the girl showed them the secluded spot near Reynolds Road and Skyview Drive in Lakeland where Jones drove her and Ghent. Reports say the men had offered to drive the girl home from church that day after Bible study, but instead took her to this remote location. Each man allegedly sexually abused the girl twice while inside the vehicle.

Detectives provided a timeline of the alleged sexual abuse:

* May/June 2009 - Gernard Jones allegedly commits one sex act with the girl in a vehicle parked in the girls driveway (1st count Lewd Battery)

* Mid-July 2009 - "Minister" Clevon Ghent allegedly commits two sex acts with the girl in his home (1st and 2nd counts Custodial Sexual Battery)

* Late July 2009 - "Minister" Clevon Ghent allegedly commits one sex act with the girl in his home (3rd count Custodial Sexual Battery)

* Late August 2009 - Gernard and Clevon both allegedly commit two sex acts with the girl in Gernards Lincoln Navigator (Gernard - 2nd and 3rd counts Lewd Battery) (Clevon - 4th and 5th counts Custodial Sexual Battery)

According to reports, on August 28, 2009, the girl told to two teachers at her school that she had had sex with Minister Ghent and Gernard Jones. In turn, the teachers notified the girl's father. The girl's father then notified the Sheriff's Office. Jones and Ghent were interviewed and arrested on September 3, 2009.

Clevon Ghent was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with 5 counts Custodial Sexual Battery (F-1). He is being held under no bond.

Gernard Jones was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with 3 counts Lewd Battery (F-2). He is being held under no bond.

"There are no words to describe the horror that one feels when reading about the abuse this 12-year-old girl suffered at the hands of a man she trusted as an elder in her church," said Sheriff Judd. "Not only was he in a well-respected position within a sacred place, he has four children of his own - one of whom is the same age as her. This so-called minister, and his nephew Gernard Jones, are now behind bars where they belong - and where they can't hurt any more innocent children."