More people come forward with stories of sex abuse by former church youth leader

By Shelby Brown
WTVR
September 21, 2015

http://wtvr.com/2015/09/21/jeffrey-clark-more-charges/

Jeffrey Clark

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A former church youth group leader was charged with new crimes after two more people came forward with claims he inappropriately touched them. Jeffrey D. Clark, 45, was first arrested September 8 and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery against a child. He met that child through his role at Immanuel Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, police said.

Since that arrest, two more people have contacted investigators with similar stories, police said. The incidents occurred during the past two years and also involved children Clark met through church, investigators added.

The first to come forward was a juvenile, the second was a juvenile at the time of the alleged incident but is now an adult, police said. As a result, Clark was recently charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child while in a custodial role and simple sexual battery.

Additional charges were possible, police said.

Following his initial arrest, friend David Hay said Clark was being condemned in the court of public opinion when he had done nothing wrong. He said as a youth leader, Clark was never alone with a child and that that was one of his strict rules. Hay also said the only thing Clark was guilty of, was being a good guy.

Clark remains incarcerated at Riverside Regional Jail without bond.

Recently one of Clark’s friends told CBS 6 News that the 45-year-old had done nothing wrong and was being condemned in the court of public opinion.

Former church member Debbie McCarter says similar allegations against Clark split Immanuel Baptist Church six years ago. She says there were no charges at the time.

Now with Clark’s September arrest and these latest charges, McCarter says she is heartbroken and saddened for his alleged victims. “It doesn’t surprise me, but it really saddens me. I’m not surprised because of other things that have arisen in the past. It hurts my heart that this could have been avoided” McCarter said.

We went to Clark’s Chester home where police believe the alleged crimes took place. A woman who answered the door said that she was not related to Clark and that he also ran a business out of the home. She said she had no idea about the new charges and declined to comment beyond that.

Police say if anyone out there has more information about this case, particularly children, they want families to know it’s safe to come forward.

“It’s difficult for children to come forward, so we do encourage them to come forward if they think they are a victim. We can help with resources, and even provide them with resources for counseling” Sgt. Brad Conner of the Chesterfield Police Department explained.

Clark remains in the Riverside Regional jail. Chesterfield police say more charges are possible.