Shawnee Police Report Reveals New Details in Pastor's Arrest

By Patty Santos
KOCO
July 30, 2015

http://www.koco.com/news/shawnee-police-report-reveals-new-details-in-pastors-arrest/34447910

[with video]

A newly completed Shawnee police report is revealing more information about the accusations a former youth pastor faces.

Brian Burchfield was booked into the Pottowatomie County Jail Wednesday on one count of soliciting and engaging in sexual communications with a minor, and one count of a violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

Police said he was texting four teens, ages 14 to 17, things that were sexual in nature.

Shawnee police Detective Ethan Rieves said the case was turned quickly, because of the possible contact that Burchfield could have with his victims in the near future.

“He freely admitted that he knew he was crossing the lines, he tried several times to quit and it kept continuing,” Rieves said. “It was hard for him to get out of that mindset of talking in that nature.”

Burchfield, a young adult’s pastor at Quail Springs Baptist Church, was fired from his position following his arrest. Police said he met his victims while working at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Police said the texting started once he left the church in July 2014. It was a parent who was getting copies of the texts her son received that first brought it to Pastor Todd Fisher. The police were then contacted.

Police records said the texting conversations consisted of grooming habits of private areas, genital size and requesting photos from the teens.

Police said he was “grooming” the juveniles. The teens said there was even skinny-dipping involved.

Burchfield’s attorney Matthew Peters was with him during his initial arraignment Thursday.

He has not yet met to discuss the case in detail with his client, but said they are cooperating with police.

“We’ll have a meeting with our client and seeing what evidence is out there,” Peters said. “Without any of that, it’s pure speculation with how we proceed.”

The District Attorney’s Office has not yet received the case. Burchfield’s next court appearance will be in two weeks. Burchfield bonded out of jail Thursday afternoon.

Immanuel Baptist Church issued the following statement:

"We are very saddened to hear of the allegations regarding Brian Burchfield, a former minister at our church. WE have no indications whatsoever that any inappropriate conduct occurred while Brian was an employee at Immanuel. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials and have provided them all of the information we have. We are praying for any people affected and trusting God to provide His presence and peace at this difficult time."