Wheatland Pastor Facing Accusations of Sex with a Minor

News 10
May 9, 2013

http://www.news10.net/news/local/article/244412/2/Wheatland-pastor-facing-sex-with-a-minor-accusations

[with video]

Brian Gray

A Wheatland church pastor has confessed to engaging in underage sex with a 16-year-old girl, said a Yuba County sheriff's official.

"He has confessed to an ongoing sexual relationship with the 16-year-old victim over a period of approximately a year," Yuba County Sheriff Steven Durfor said.

Previously, Undersheriff Jerry Read said the sheriff's department was tipped off to the allegations on Tuesday by a report made to Wichita, Kansas police regarding suspect Brian Gray. Gray's son said a relative of his father's wife called Wichita police.

The ensuing investigation revealed Gray, 51, and the teen had been in a sexual relationship for approximately one year and it began at Anchor Baptist Church in Wheatland late last spring, Read said. There were additional sexual encounters in multiple other locations as well, according to the investigation.

The teen is from Sutter County.

America Callahan, who runs a shop next to the church, said it's difficult to believe the charges.

"They have a youth thing going, and everybody's running and having fun, and they keep inviting our family to come in, and I'm shocked. You just never know," Callahan said.

Gray was arrested and taken to Yuba County Jail on booking charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, oral copulation with a minor, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. His bail was set at $100,000.