By Jake Lowary
The Leaf-Chronicle
December 17, 2009
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20091217/CRIME/912170314
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The pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church says he and his congregation are praying for two of their members — one is accused of raping a juvenile female and the other is the victim.
Gregory Dougherty, 55, who gave a 2819 Summertree Lane address, was charged with one count of child rape by the December grand jury, and was taken into custody on Tuesday by Clarksville Police. Dougherty is accused for forcibly having sexual contact with a juvenile female while driving the girl to church in a church-owned van on March 14 while on 101st Airborne Division Parkway, according to CPD Detective DeMone Chestnut, who investigated the allegations.
Both Dougherty and the victim were members of Mount Olive at the same time, though the girl, who was 12 at the time, stopped attending about a month after the alleged incident, said Pastor David Allen, who also represents Ward 8 on the Clarksville City Council.
Allen said once the church officials learned of the allegations, they cooperated with police, but now are trying to limit the damage Dougherty has caused.
"We're just trying to keep him from hurting the church," Allen said.
Dougherty, a member for at least seven years, has continued attending since the alleged incident, Allen said, and denied having any involvement.
"Anybody can be returned (to the church)," he said, noting they would not bar Dougherty from attending.
Allen said counseling is always available to its members, and they are leaning on faith to help guide them.
"We're just praying for the girl and her family," he said. "And Greg too ... It's just a bad situation for everybody."
Chestnut said Dougherty has denied the allegations all along, but the investigator is confident that evidence he collected and presented to the grand jury will result in a conviction.
"There were certain things he didn't have answers to," he said.
Chestnut said Dougherty has a minor criminal history.
"He's not a career criminal," he said.
A check at the Montgomery County Courthouse shows since 2005, Dougherty was charged with speeding, false report and having dogs at large.
The dogs at large charge was dismissed in November 2008.
Dougherty was given a suspended 30-day sentence on the false report charge in November 2007 and paid a $20 fine for speeding in 2005.
Jake Lowary can be reached at 245-0719 or by e-mail at jakelowary@theleafchronicle.com
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