December 26th, 2012

Youth/Teen Pastor Indicted in Sex Abuse Case

Earlier this month, a youth pastor in Virginia Beach was indicted on five counts of child sexual abuse. The pastor, from Chesapeake, Virginia, was indicted on five (5) counts of Custodial Indecent Liberties. These charges stem from allegations of abuse of three victims between 1999 and 2006, when he was a youth pastor at Real Life Christian Church.

Under Virginia Code § 18.2-370.1, an adult is guilty of a Class 6 felony when acting in a custodial or supervisory role over a child, he or she engages in the following behavior:

  • asking a child to touch the adult’s sexual or genital parts,
  • asking a child to allow the adult to touch the child’s sexual or genital parts,
  • asking a child to perform any act of sexual intercourse,
  • exposing his or her sexual or genital parts to a child,
  • asking a child to expose his or her sexual or genital parts,
  • asking a child to engaging in sexual intercourse, or
  • otherwise sexually abusing a child.

Anyone with information about any sexual abuse in the state of Virginia is urged to contact the local prosecuting office. The Virginia Beach prosecuting office can be contacted at (757) 385-4401 or by email at ocaadmin@vbgov.com.

Liability of Pastors, Priests & Churches in Child Sex Abuse Cases

In many states, pastors, priest and the churches where they work can be held liable for the abuse in both the criminal and civil justice system. The abusing pastor or priest can be held liable directly and the churches/associations which knowingly allowed the abuse to happen may also face liability. As more brave victims come forward and report the abuses committed on them, we can expect that more pastors and priests will face criminal and civil liability.

For more information, contact our pastor and priest abuse lawyers.

More articles by our pastor & priest sex abuse lawyers:

Representation by a Former Sex Crimes Unit Prosecutor

Guy D’Andrea and Stewart Ryan always offer free, confidential consultations. The firm has the resources and experience to handle sex abuse cases in all states and welcomes calls from local counsel about potential cases. Call (215) 399-9255. For more information, contact a Pennsylvania or New Jersey priest/clergy sex abuse lawyer.

**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

*Source:  www.vbgov.com