Abingdon Minister Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

By Kacie Breeding
Times News
March 2, 2012

http://www.timesnews.net/article/9043130/abingdon-minister-arrested-on-child-sex-abuse-charges

John Wesley Price, 63.

An Abingdon minister has been arrested for sex offenses allegedly committed against a juvenile female.

A Washington County, Virginia, Sheriff's Office news release states John Wesley Price, 63, 206 Baugh Lane, Abingdon, Va., was arrested at noon Thursday on four counts of "animate object sexual penetration."

Sheriff Fred Newman confirmed Price is the minister of Temple Baptist Church, 15157 Inspiration Dr.. He said the offenses allege Price sexually penetrated a former 17-year-old student of Temple Christian School.

According to Newman, although sexual penetration is alleged, by law the offenses fall short of the classic definition of rape due to the body parts Price is alleged to have used to accomplish the penetration.

The news release states an investigation was launched after the alleged victim, who is now an adult, reported her allegations on Monday.

Price was transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon, and is being held without bond pending a March 5 arraignment in the Washington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

The charge is an unclassified felony which carries a minimum of five years to life on each count.