Retired Asst. Pastor Accused of Molestation Will Face Judge in August
By Christian Betancourt
Jody Hilliard, a 71-year-old retired assistant pastor accused of molesting an out-of-town 10-year-old female relative while she visited Duncan, will see a special district judge at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 16 for a preliminary hearing. The hearing will qualify the evidence of the case in order to proceed to a higher court. Court documents state the mother of the victim and the investigating detective will be called as witnesses. Hilliard faces two counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child under 12, a felony. If convicted, court document state he could face a minimum of 25 years imprisonment and would have to serve 85 percent of his sentence. The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred while the minor visited and stayed with Hilliard. Police reports state on March 11, detectives with the Duncan Police Department received information from an out of state agency alerting them of the abuse while the minor was in Duncan, making it a DPD investigation. The report stated Hilliard allegedly touched the girl in her private parts without clothes on and made her touch him in his genital area. While investigating the accusations, detectives obtained a video interview and various reports where the victim gave detailed, consistent descriptions of the abuse she received to several law enforcement members, according to the report. Hilliard did not give a statement to police. Oklahoma City Attorney Ed Blau, Hilliard’s defense attorney, gave a statement when his client was arrested in April. “Reverend Hilliard vehemently denies these horrible allegations, and we look forward to defending him in court,” said Blau. A motion to set appropriate bail filed by Blau stated Hilliard was a pillar of the community for 32 years, served as assistant pastor for the First Baptist Church in Duncan for 26 years, was minister of education for three years at the Central Baptist Church in Lawton and was a high school teacher and principal for 11 years in Elgin and Ninnekah. “The crimes alleged in this crime are serious,” stated the motion. “There appears to be no physical evidence to support the allegation. (Hilliard) maintains his innocence of the crimes alleged. By all accounts, (Hilliard) has a sterling reputation in the community, and the allegations made in this case are completely outside the bounds of that reputation. The outcome in this case will likely turn on who the jury believes is telling the truth. “ During an initial appearance hearing in April, Lau asked for bond set at $20,000. Sixth Judicial Assistant District Attorney Cortnie Siess asked Stephens County Special District Judge Jerry Herberger to set the bond at $100,000. Hilliard was booked and released on a $50,000 April 16.
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