Former Lakeside Baptist Youth Minister Gets 15 Years for Sex Abuse, Blames Victims
By Greg Garrison
Mack Allen Davis, 74, a former youth minister at Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham, was sentenced in Jefferson County Court today to 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of minors. Davis spoke in court and blamed his victims for not forgiving him. "If they are unwilling to forgive, then God can't forgive them," Davis said. "That's in the Bible." The Jefferson County indictment charged Davis with three counts of second degree sex abuse of a minor between the ages of 12 and 16, one count of first degree sodomy, and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. The charges all relate to allegations by two men. Both victims said they were abused by Davis multiple times over a decade from the late 1970s through the late 1980s. One victim said he was 9 years old when the abuse began and was 17 when it ended. Victims alleged the abuse occurred at locations inside and outside the state, including in Davis' church office and at Camp Chula Vista in St. Clair County. Davis was hired in 1977 by Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham as minister of youth and recreation, and later was also named as director of the church's summer camp. He retired in 1999. Both victims, accompanied by their parents, were in court today and were offered a chance to speak. Andrew Guffey, one of the victims, spoke in court. "I've been held accountable for his actions all my life; it's time he's held accountable," Guffey said. "He does not realize all the hurt and harm he has caused." Guffey said he forgave Davis. "I choose to forgive him and forget him," Guffey said. "He still has not been truthful about all the victims." Davis spoke after Guffey, and his words did not win any sympathy from Judge Teresa Pulliam. "I've met with Andy," Davis said. "We had prayer together. I thought everything was okay and a few days later I was arrested." During the meeting Davis referred to, Guffey was wearing a wire for investigators. Davis said he was concerned about God's judgment on his victims. "My life is about done," he said. "I'm concerned about the parents and the victims that they be able to forgive me." God has already forgiven him, Davis said. "I'm definitely not the person I was 30 years ago," Davis said. "God picked me up, cleaned me and forgave me of my sins. I believe the Bible's true. I know it is." Then Davis returned to his theme that God had not forgiven his accusers. "That's terrible to go so many years without being forgiven," Davis said. "That's terrible." Pulliam said Davis, who has had open-heart surgery and other health problems, will serve his time at a facility for the aged and infirm in Franklin County. A court officer put handcuffs on Davis and he was taken into custody, after the judge had previously released him for several months to get his personal business in order. ggarrison@al.com
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