Residents Shocked by Youth Pastor's Sex Abuse Charges
By Alexa Armstrong
Residents of a tiny town just north of Salem expressed shock and dismay today after the Marion County Sheriff's Office announced that a Brooks Assembly of God youth pastor had been arrested on sex abuse charges. Youth pastor Peter Bass, 36, of Brooks, was being held in the Marion County jail on 15 counts each of first-degree sodomy and second-degree sex abuse. "He would come in three or more times a week," said Sue Collins, a cashier at True Value Hardware in Brooks. She described Bass as a regular customer.
"The church has an account here, and he would come in for home projects," Collins said, adding that his arrest came as a shock. "I never would have expected to hear something like this about him." Deputies arrested Bass about 10 a.m., said Sgt. Chris Baldridge, a spokesman for the sheriff's office. Baldridge released few other details about the arrest, such as where it took place or when the alleged sex abuse occurred. Baldridge also declined to say how Bass may have known the victims, but said that it was not through his work as a youth pastor. Some residents who spoke with the Statesman Journal were emotional when they described Bass as beloved pastor, but they declined to be identified.
As a result of the investigation Bass has been fired from the church, Baldridge said, but church officials declined to comment. Garrett Darras, Collins co-worker, said he had helped Bass in the store a few times. "I thought he was a pretty nice guy. I never saw a bad side of him," Darras said. Russ Cowery, who lives across the street from the church, said he he was hospitalized for a stroke in December, and that's when he met Bass. "He was a very pleasant young gentleman," Cowery said. The Sheriff's Office is seeking any information regarding Bass or additional victims. Those with information should contact Detective Nancy Hubbard with the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 503-316-6635. aarmstrong@statesmanjournal.com; (503) 399-6745 or follow on Twitter at @AlexaArletta What's next Peter Bass's arraignment is set for Thursday, Jan. 22, at 3 p.m. at the Marion County Circuit Court annex, 4000 Aumsville Highway SE.
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