South Florida Pastor Found Not Guilty in Sex Abuse Case

NBC South Florida
April 10, 2014

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Jury-Deliberations-Continue-in-South-Florida-Pastor-Sex-Abuse-Case-254767411.html

A South Florida youth pastor facing molestation charges was found not guilty on all counts Thursday.

Jeffery London, 50, had been charged with several counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and sexual battery on minors. He pleaded not guilty.

The jury made its decision Thursday, after deliberations began Wednesday.

London worked with youth at the Bible Church of God and was Dean of Students at Eagle Charter Elementary in Broward.

Since London was arrested in 2012, at least 10 men have accused him of molestation while the men were pre-teens through their teenage years. He had been facing life in prison.

London broke down in tears as the not guilty verdicts were read.

"I'm very relieved because I know my son didn't do the things they said... I'm very grateful because I raised my children to respect," Clare London, the pastor's mother, said after the verdict.

The director of an organization for victims of priest abuse called the verdict "heartbreaking."

"We commend everyone who helped with this prosecution. And we beg everyone else who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes by Rev. London to find courage, speak up, call police, expose wrongdoers, protect kids and start healing," David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said.