Local D.a.'s Office Accuses Texoma Church of Sex Crime Cover-up

By Rick Springer
KTEN
February 10, 2014

http://www.kten.com/story/24648532/local-das-office-accuses-texoma-church-of-sex-crime-cover-up

[with video]

New developments in the case against a former McAlester Jehovah's Witness Church elder accused of molesting children 30 years ago.

The McAlester District Attorney's Office now claims the "entire body of the Jehovah's Witness Church" covered up child molestation crimes.

Ronald Lawrence was charged in November with multiple counts of lewd molestation, forcible sodomy, and rape by instrumentation.

Two women claim Lawrence touched them inappropriately and bathed with them on several occasions between 1977 and 1982.

Back when Lawrence was an elder at the Jehovah's Witness Church in McAlester.

The accusers were between eight and 13-years-old.

Police believe there could be more victims.

Church officials have told KTEN they knew nothing about this alleged crime.

Lawrence was released from jail November 24 after posting a $50,000 bond.

As a condition of his bond, he is not to have contact with the alleged victims in the case.