Former Auburn Pastor Charged with Sexual Abuse of Two Minors

By Sara Falligant
Opelika-Auburn News
July 18, 2014

http://www.oanow.com/news/crime_courts/article_266416c4-0eb5-11e4-8b4e-0017a43b2370.html

John Sluder

A former Auburn pastor has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse of a minor, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday.

John Sluder, 63, of Opelika was arrested for first-degree sexual abuse on May 8 after an investigation that began in April. Jackson said Sluder turned himself in. According to Sheriff Jay Jones, Sluder was an associate pastor at Believers Church in Auburn.

“The investigation revealed that there was a report of inappropriate sexual contact with a victim underage,” Capt. Van Jackson said. “It appears that there was more than one victim.”

The alleged abuse reportedly occurred about 14 years ago at Sluder's residence near the Marvyn community in the south end of Lee County, Jones said. The report involved two individuals who were approximately 8 years old at the time. According to a release by the LCSO, there was evidence discovered through the investigation that led to warrants being issued against Sluder.

The Auburn Police Division initially received the report in March, but transferred the investigation to LCSO, Jackson said, as the alleged incident occurred in LCSO jurisdiction.

There is no statute of limitations for first-class sexual abuse under Alabama criminal law.

Sluder is being held at the Lee County Detention Facility on $20,000 bond. Jones said his case would be brought before a grand jury in the near future.

The LCSO is encouraging anyone with information on this case or others to contact them at 334-749-5651 or Lee County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-522-7847.