BishopAccountability.org
	Bishop Joe N. Flowers Jr. Denies Sexual Contact with Boy By Jon Hand Democrat and Chronicle September 29, 2010 http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100929/NEWS01/9290327/1002/NEWS/Bishop-Joe-N.-Flowers-Jr.-denies-sexual-contact-with-boy The pastor of a local church pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge alleging he had sexual contact with a boy multiple times during a three-year period. Bishop Joe N. Flowers Jr., 41, of Henrietta, founder and senior pastor of the Walk of Life Christian Center, Inc., was accused by a grand jury indictment of a course of sexual conduct, which indicates two or more acts with a person younger than 13. Flowers is accused of repeated sexual contact with a boy he knew, said Assistant Monroe County District Attorney Kristy Karle. The conduct is alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 2007, and March 31, 2010. All of the abuse is alleged to have taken place in Flowers' home and involves one boy who would regularly visit Flowers, the indictment alleges, though Karle said the investigation is ongoing considering the number of young people with whom Flowers' came into contact at the church. Eventually, the victim told his mother he did not want to go to the home anymore, Karle said in court. It was then that the family brought their allegations to police. Flowers was arrested Saturday and has been in the Monroe County Jail since. County Court Judge John DeMarco entered a plea of not guilty on Flowers' behalf and ordered bail set at $25,000 cash bail, or $50,000 bond. The judge issued an order of protection for the child, banning Flowers from contacting him, but did not place additional restrictions on Flowers' work at the church. Flowers was represented by the Monroe County Public Defender's Office for the arraignment, but told the court he would be hiring his own attorney. A hearing was set for 9 a.m. Thursday with state Supreme Court Justice David D. Egan, who will preside over the case. A conviction of the felony charge carries a maximum penalty of two to seven years in prison. While briefly discussing bail, Flowers told DeMarco he has lived in the community for 22 years, has two children and has no criminal history. "I've never been in trouble all my life, sir," said Flowers, for whom about 20 people visited the courtroom. Family members and friends declined comment outside the courtroom. He has been pastor at the church since founding it in November 1994 along with his wife and co-pastor, Sheryl Y. Flowers, according to the church's website. The site indicates Sunday services are held on the third-floor of the Auditorium Center on East Main Street. Representatives from the church could not be reached for comment. The site, which was recently deactivated and is now unavailable, said Flowers was born and raised in Alabama, and moved to Rochester in 1988. Contact: JHAND@DemocratandChronicle.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.