Deacon Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Minor

WUSA
September 15, 2014

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/dc/2014/09/15/deacon-maurice-blanchard-rape-guilty-plea/15666761/

A deacon has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor who attended his church.

Maurice Blanchard was arrested this year for raping a 15-year-old in 2003 when he was a deacon at the Grace Apostolic Church.

Blanchard pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor in MD Circuit Court in Prince George County last Tuesday. He could be sentenced to between four and nine years in jail when he returns to court on November 14.

Officials say Blanchard's wife Kina was "coercing the victim to stay silent about her husband's rapes." Other victims came forward after the now-26-year-old victim filed charges.

According to officials, Blanchard still worked at the church. Pastor Earnest L. Pendleton knew of the rapes, say officials.

The church was once located at 905 Alabama Ave., SE but now is located at 4417 Dix St. in Northeast DC. This is the second case of sexual misconduct crimes in an Apostolic church in SE, DC, say officials.