By Christina Boomer
ABC 15
September 16, 2009
http://www.abc15.com/content/news/southeastvalley/chandler/story/PD-Tempe-church- worker-accused-of-having-sex-with/xtbuq7y4PUu9eYJ1r7Y—g.cspx
[with video]
CHANDLER, AZ — An intern at a Tempe church was arrested by Chandler police last Wednesday on charges of sexual abuse and sexual conduct with a minor.
Joshua O'Bannion, 25, allegedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl on three separate occasions during July and August, officials say.
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| Joshua O'Bannion |
Joey Hamby, spokesman for the Christ Life Church in Tempe, said Tuesday that O'Bannion had only interned with them a few months.
Police reports show that O'Bannion lives in a different state.
He was on leave from a bible school in Missouri to intern with the Tempe church where he worked in the Youth Ministries Department.
Hamby said that their congregation's interns assist pastors with things like bible study sessions and weekly youth group meetings.
Hamby said in a phone interview, "It's obviously very devastating to hear these sorts of allegations. It's very difficult and very traumatic for the family."
Police reports indicate that O'Bannion and the 14-year-old had been texting and it appears not long after that they began "sexting," sending text messages with sexual connotations.
At one point the girl's father did think some of their texts were strange and told police he asked his daughter to stop texting with O'Bannion.
Police reports also indicate parents had complained to church leadership about O'Bannion.
It does not appear anyone involved could have imaged what would happen next.
The victim admits to police that back in July she sneaked out of her house to meet O'Bannion, then rode in his car and later had sex.
The documents indicate that they had sex at least three times in a vehicle in different locations in Chandler, which is why this case is being handled by the Chandler Police Department.
Of one act the victim told police "he made me."
O'Bannion is facing three counts of sex abuse and eight counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.
A man who used to work with the youth group and now lives out of state helped expose the secret.
He told police he spotted something on the victim's Facebook page that concerned him.
Acting on his instinct he called her and that's when he says the victim told him what had happened.
That man then alerted the girl's parents and the church pastor; Hamby then called police.
Julie Busskohl who was walking in the area told ABC15 that "it's good someone is monitoring Facebook."
Busskohl and her walking partner, Kathy Barnes, said this case should be a reminder for parents about the importance of watching what your kids are posting online and what they are sending on their phones.
"We are doing everything we can to move forward and not let this destroy lives and trust in a church congregation that has worked very, very, hard to build on trust," Hamby said.
Barnes applauded the church for acting so quickly.
Hamby said they plan to help the victim and her family through counseling.
ABC15 left a voicemail message on what is believed to be O'Bannion's cell phone and visited the Gilbert home where he had been staying, but he did not return our call.
When all the details had been uncovered, police reports indicate O'Bannion was out of state.
Church leadership knew when he would be back and worked with police to let them know when and where to find O'Bannion when he returned to the Valley.
Written statement from Christ Life Church
September 15, 2009
It has come to our attention that a former intern with our youth ministry is under investigation for allegations of inappropriate behavior. As soon as we received this information we immediately notified the appropriate law enforcement officials.
The individual under investigation has served as an intern in our youth department for approximately six months.
We are cooperating fully with the police investigation. In addition, we have appointed a Response Team, whose mission is to conduct an internal review of all relevant issues and to respond to questions and concerns raised by our membership.
We wish to make it clear that we have not pre-judged this situation. We are not stating an opinion as to whether the allegations are well founded or not. We place the highest priority on the safety and security of our youth and all of our church members.
Any member of our church who has any questions or concerns is invited to
contact our Response Team at responseteam@christlifechurch.org.
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