Corinth Pastor Arrested, Charged with Sexual Abuse
By Tim Glaze
A Corinth clergyman has been arrested after he barricaded a young girl in his office and “begged” her to remove her clothes for almost two hours. According to an affidavit released by the Corinth Police Department, Pastor Jeffery Dale Williams of The Church of Corinth was identified on five different audio recordings asking the female to take off her clothes so he could see “eye candy” on March 30, 2013. Corinth police arrested Williams on Wednesday, May 1 and charged him with attempted sexual performance on a child – a third degree felony. Williams bonded out of jail Wednesday night after bail was set at $10,000. Corinth Lieutenant Jimmie Gregg said the department has been investigating Williams since early April after Child Protective Services sent the CPD two separate reports of sexual abuse allegations against the pastor. “Someone reported something to CPS,” Gregg said. “Since then, we’ve been investigating this guy. We’ve been on it since April. I can’t release too many details at this point, but we have proof that it is [Williams] on five different audio recordings asking this girl to remove her clothing.” After meeting with Williams’ lawyer and continuing investigation for the better part of April, Corinth police met with the victim and listened to her story – one that matches what is heard on the audio tapes. According to the affidavit, the victim told Williams repeatedly that “this was not right, he’s a preacher and he shouldn’t be doing this.” The Church of Corinth released the following official statement early on Thursday, May 2: "We have neither knowledge of nor any reason to suspect any inappropriate behavior. We intend to and will fully investigate the allegations, and we will fully cooperate with the authorities. Our prayers go out to this family of our Church." Gregg and another Corinth officer tried to reach out to the victim in early April but learned she had been transported out of state for the time being. She then agreed to meet with police towards the end of the month in order to collaborate details, according to the affidavit, after an Order for Investigation of Child Abuse was signed by Judge Shipman of the 211th District Court of Denton County. During her interview with Corinth police, the victim said she felt “nasty” after the incident with Williams was over. Contact: tglaze@starlocalnews.com
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