Church Members Accused of Sex Crimes, News4jax, January 11, 2011

Church Members Accused of Sex Crimes

News4jax
January 11, 2011

http://www.news4jax.com/news/26454108/detail.html

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photos of Paul Groover and Darrell Moore

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Prosecutors said what two men did behind the sacred walls of Greater Refuge Temple in Northwest Jacksonville is deeply disturbing.

Paul Groover and his brother-in-law Darrell Moore are charged with sex crimes against teenage members of their own church.

Groover is not only the son of the church's pastor, but also the long-time custodian at the church.

According to court documents, the molestation and sexual battery had been going on for a decade, but nothing was done about it.

One victim told authorities Moore sexually assaulted her while holding a knife and then told her "not to say anything to anyone" and that "he would kill her if she told," according to the documents.

In the documents, Moore is also accused of "inappropriately hugging" victims in church several times, at least once during a prayer.

When pressed for details about the hugs, Moore, who worked at the church as a cameraman, told detectives, "He knew what he did was wrong," according to the documents.

Police said the abuse didn't stop there. Groover is also being charged with three counts of custodial sexual battery after police said he molested a 13-year-old boy.

Investigators said Groover admitted to having a relationship with the teen, telling them he'd had at least 20 different sexual encounters with the boy inside the church and sent nude photos of himself to the victim.

Groover also admitted that he and the boy were almost caught once during a Bible study, but the door was locked and they stayed quiet, police said.

An arrest warrant shows that in a recorded conversation between the victim and Groover, he told the teen, "Your foolishness is going to destroy the ministry. The devil wants to destroy us all."

Groover went on to say, "This foolishness must be put in the past. Get over it. Forgive. Move on," according to the warrant.

Police said Groover admitted what he did was wrong and he knew it and has repented before God.

Prosecutors said it wasn't the victims who came forward in the case. They said the allegations were brought to investigators' attention by an anonymous person.

"They love their church. It's all they've ever known," assistant state attorney Jessica Villella said. "What their fears are are being made to feel like they've done something wrong and that they're at fault, and that's why we're here: to put people who are at fault in their proper places so these children don't feel that they can let that go."

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.