By Christine Ferretti
Detroit News
July 22, 2010
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100722/METRO/7220452/1361/Parishioners-turn-out-for-Warren-pastor-accused-of-sex-abuse
Warren -- Parishioners and colleagues from a Baptist church in Warren filled a courtroom today for a preliminary hearing for their pastor, who is accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy and accosting two other boys.
Warren District Court Judge Matthew P. Sabaugh instead granted an adjournment in the case to allow the attorney for Antioch Baptist Church pastor Christopher Settlemoir more time to review evidence.
Settlemoir's attorney, Stephen Rabaut, took the pastor's case late last month. A new examination date was set for Aug. 17.
Settlemoir, 26, was arrested and charged early in June with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct on allegations he forced a boy, 15, to participate in sex acts. He faces up to life in prison, if convicted.
Assistant Prosecutor Molly Zappitell said cell phone photographs have been recovered as evidence in connection with the case involving the 15-year-old.
| Antioch Baptist Church pastor Christopher Settlemoir, 26, is charged with two counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes Photo by Charles V. Tines |
Settlemoir is also charged with two counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes stemming from separate alleged incidents involving two boys under the age of 16. Police say the children are affiliated with the church's school, Antioch Baptist Academy, where the pastor served as principal.
Court records show the crimes were allegedly committed between Sept. 1, 2009, and April 20, 2010.
The four-year felony offense does not include physical contact. It generally applies to inappropriate conduct such as text messages, e-mails or photographs, police said.
Zappitell declined to specify what conduct is alleged to have occurred between Settlemoir and the two other boys.
Warren police have said Settlemoir made "some admissions" about the original case. He has not commented on the additional claims.
One church member, Karen Smith, says she doesn't believe the allegations.
"I am supporting him," said Smith, of Center Line, who sat in the courtroom for hours awaiting the hearing. "I believe he's innocent."
Smith said Settlemoir is a "nice guy" and she's "never seen him do anything inappropriate."
"I think he's being railroaded," she said. "He's a good pastor. I don't think he did this. I'll be hurt and disappointed if I find out that he did."
Settlemoir remains jailed on a $1 million cash bond in connection with the first case. Today, a $100,000 cash surety bond was set for the two additional charges.
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