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	Pastor, 74, Accused of Sexually Abusing Girl By Brian Englar The News-Post September 2, 2011 http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=125589 A 74-year-old pastor and Walkersville resident has been charged with sexually abusing a girl from his congregation. Joe Nix Ivey, a senior pastor at Barnesville Baptist Church in Montgomery County, is charged with sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree sex offense and second-degree assault. According to charging documents filed in Frederick County District Court, the alleged abuse took place in February 2010, when the girl was between 10 and 11 years old. On Monday, the girl's mother told a deputy and a member of the Victim Services Unit at the Frederick County Sheriff's Office about allegations the girl made two days earlier about sexual contact with Ivey at his home on Dublin Road. The girl's mother said the family was close to Ivey, and that her children often stayed at his house. The girl, now 13, was interviewed Tuesday by a detective and a Child Protective Services worker at the Frederick County Child Advocacy Center. The girl said she and Ivey were watching a movie one morning after she had spent the night at Ivey's house. According to charging documents, Ivey then engaged in sexual contact with her for about 30 minutes. She said Ivey said nothing before or during the alleged contact, but told her afterward, "Don't tell anyone, it will ruin me," the documents state. She said she had been to Ivey's house once since the alleged abuse occurred, and that he "acted like nothing had happened." The girl said a similar incident occurred when she was 6 years old. A phone call between the girl and Ivey was arranged to try to get Ivey to discuss the alleged abuse. The girl told Ivey she didn't know if she should tell anyone about what happened. According to the charging documents, Ivey responded that she should not, and that what happened was between "you, me and God." She also asked if she was the only child with whom he had sexual contact, and Ivey said she was, the documents state. The detective and the CPS worker went to Ivey's house at about 9 a.m. Wednesday to interview him. Ivey initially denied having sexual contact with the girl, telling the interviewers that he was not a child molester and that he preached against such behavior. But when he was questioned further, he admitted to abusing the girl. He said he had never engaged in similar activity with any other children. According to the charging documents, when asked about the alleged abuse when the girl was 6, Ivey said, "I don't remember. I'm 74 years old. I don't remember that one." Ivey gave the detective a statement, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Ivey was released after posting $85,000 bail, according to court records. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 28. No attorney is listed for Ivey in court records. Neither Ivey nor church officials could be reached for comment Thursday.
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