Long Time Minister Investigated for Sex Crimes

WAAY
July 31, 2012

http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/story/Long-time-minister-investigated-for-sex-crimes/d1x_vpS6H0mPyHAkuOYaeQ.cspx


SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WAAY) - Sheffield Police confirm that they're investigating claims of sexual abuse against a former music and youth minister at the Sheffield First United Methodist Church.

The church has sat across the street from the Sheffield Police Department for decades, but it was only until this week that child sex abuse allegations were brought before police Chief Greg Ray, launching an investigation.

"It's overwhelming. It's disbelief, but you certainly can't base what you do on the shock value," said Ray. "You've got to go out and remember you can't arrest someone or charge someone without some evidence, so we've been tasked to find that evidence."

Ray said that church leaders presented a report that claimed there are at least three vicitms, but they said that there could be decades worth of young boys that were sexually abused by the former music minister in the church.

"There may be a lot of victims out there. We don't know yet," said Ray. "It would not surprise me if we actually started investigating and we found out that we had dozens and dozens of victims."


Ray said that no one has officially been charged and the investigation is just beginning.

He's asking anyone who was a victim or has any information to please come forward to police.

"Nobody is going to win this. We know that going in to it," said Ray. "Some feelings are going to be hurt, some trust broken, some people who will never believe what happened. You hope it all is not true, but don't think it would've got this far without there being some truth to it, so we just ask our community to stand strong. We ask the members, the good, honest, hardworking, God-fearing members of the First United Methodist Church to stand strong while we look in to this."

Sheffield Police are planning to meet with church leaders on Wednesday to discuss the specifics of the accusations. Right now, Ray said that every detective they have has been assigned to the case. After the preliminary investigation, he said they will decide whether they will handle the investigation by themselves or ask for outside help from the FBI or ABI.

Church leaders sent out a statement Tuesday afternoon that said, "The First United Methodist Church recognizes that our children are our most important, yet our most vulnerable, assets. Words cannot express the pain and sorrow that this devastating news has brought upon our church and our community. We pray for the healing of any and all victims of child abuse who may be revealed, or who may come forward, and we commit our resources to help in this healing process. The Church will cooperate fully with any and all investigations conducted by law enforcement officials and/or DHR. We ask for all in the faithful community to offer their prayers for all of these concerns."

WAAY 31 is not naming the suspect at this time because he has not yet been charged with any crime. However, we did reach out to the 78 year old suspect but were unable to contact him.