Former Youth Minister to Spend 2 Years in Prison

By Tom Smith
Times Daily
October 8, 2015

http://www.timesdaily.com/news/former-youth-minister-to-spend-years-in-prison/article_ca34fe26-c33d-510f-8a41-8d3fa04a70ad.html

Oliver Brazelle, 81, a former Sheffield youth minister, arrives Wednesday at the Lauderdale County Courthouse to receive his sentencing after pleading guilty to child molestation.

The father of a 12-year-old who was sexually molested by Oliver Brazelle said he wanted the former Sheffield youth minister to understand the “devastation” Brazelle brought on his family and the community.

“You were respected, an ordained member of the clergy. You had the trust of those members. We considered you and your family our best friends,” the father said. “We had no clue of the devastation you did on our son.

“My son (who is now an adult) is a hero because he came forward, put himself on the line to stop a monster like you. May God have mercy on your soul, but not on your body and your life while you are alive on this earth.”

Brazelle, 81, the former music and youth minister of First United Methodist Church of Sheffield, was indicted in August 2014 on sodomy and sexual abuse charges involving a teenage boy.

He pleaded guilty to child molestation, a lesser included offense, in August.

On Wednesday morning, Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Gil Self sentenced Brazelle to 10 years, split with two years to serve in prison.

Self said Brazelle must register as a sex offender as well as have no contact, “direct or indirect,” with the victim or any member of his immediate family.

Lauderdale County Chief Assistant District Attorney Will Powell said the victim’s family was pleased with the plea agreement and sentence.

“Hopefully sending him to jail will give them the type of closure they need,” Powell said.

Moments after the sentence was issued, Self placed Brazelle in the custody of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office to be transported to the detention center.

Authorities said Brazelle, 311 Meadow Hill Road, Sheffield, is accused of sexually abusing the teenager, who was a member of his youth group at the church. He is accused of enticing the victim to his lake house, which is in Lauderdale County, for immoral purposes.

Reports indicate the abuse occurred in the mid-1990s at Brazelle’s Shoals Creek residence near the Happy Hollow community.

Powell said the incidents occurred multiple times between 1995 and 1998.

Brazelle was arrested Jan. 6, after an investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation.

Brazelle stood emotionless listening to the victim’s father and his brother before Self issuing the sentence.

After hearing the comments and statements from members of the victim’s family, Brazelle read a statement, making a public apology and asking forgiveness “of all the wrongs I have committed.”

He said he “betrayed” the victim, his family, his own family, the church family and his friends.

“Why? I don’t know why,” Brazelle said. “The only answer is Satan put a hold on my life and used it to destroy me and others. I have confessed this to God.”

He said it seems he has “lost his life,” and he lives alone. He said he has lost his family and friends.

“I’ve cried myself to sleep so many nights,” Brazelle said. “I’m here through my own actions. I realize that. I view this wrong I have committed as repulsive and sickening.

“Ultimately, I’m the only one at fault, and I acknowledge that.”

In 2012, Sheffield police launched an investigation into allegations of child abuse by Brazelle after church members contacted police. Department officials said the investigation was put on hold a month later because reported victims were unwilling to come forward.

Authorities said SBI agents began an investigation in early December 2013 after the agency was contacted by a reported victim.

Reports indicate Brazelle was terminated as music minister at the church on July 27, 2012. Police said Brazelle had not held youth minister duties at the church for about 10 years before his arrest.

According to an August 2012 letter to members of the church explaining Brazelle’s termination, the former youth director and music minister admitted to church officials he had an inappropriate relationship with a younger church member.

Another letter released by church officials during the initial probe, stated in 2003 the United Methodist Church’s bishop restricted Brazelle from choir directorship with young people after he was accused of inappropriate sexual contact in the 1970s.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com. Follow on Twitter @TD_TomSmith.