News4Jax
May 21, 2006
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9251642/detail.html
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A retired Baptist minister remained in jail without bond Sunday as his former congregation attended services that made no mention of his arrest or the accusations that he sexually molested children decades ago.
Robert Gray was arrested Friday night and charged with capital sexual battery on two 6-year-old girls -- now women in their 30s -- when they were students at Trinity Baptist Church's school.
According to his arrest report, several other women also allege abuse by Gray.
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Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Robert Gray |
Gray, 80, resigned in 1992 after nearly 40 years as pastor of Trinity Baptist on Hammond Boulevard and president of an affiliated college he founded.
A woman identifying herself as one of Gray's victims told Channel 4's Nancy Rubin on Sunday that the number of complaints will continue to rise as word of his arrest gets out.
Church officials had no comment on Gray, asking Channel 4 to call their attorney on Monday.
Congregants were talking about Gray and the charges, calling the accusations "awful" and "heartbreaking."
"I though he was a good guy -- someone to look up to," churchgoer Brandon Coffey said. "That's horrible news."
"He has to answer to God for that," church member Amy Carter said Sunday.
Not everyone leaving the Trinity Baptist campus Sunday was surprised by Gray's arrest.
"Well, I felt like it was coming," Otto Miller said.
The woman who told Rubin she was victimized by Gray said she and other victims want the church to admit that it has known for years about the abuse. She said the church knew what happened in Gray's office decades ago, years that the victims silently "suffered broken marriages and broken lives."
According to sources and Web sites, Gray remains active in revivals and Bible conferences across America.
Phone calls to Gray's attorney on Sunday were not returned.
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• Retired Pastor Arrested On Child Sex Charges (May 20, 2006)
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