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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLocal pastor faces child-rape charges
A 54-year-old pastor accused of child rape and molestation was ordered held without bond today at the Orange County Jail.
Rutherford David Downs is accused of two charges of sexual battery of a child under 12 and 13 charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12.
Downs was formerly the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Chuluota but it is unclear why he is not longer at the helm. Calls to the Orlando-area church were not immediately returned.
The current pastor, Marc Brashear, did not respond to requests for comment.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-14/news/os-david-downs-sex-pastor-child-rape-20120714_1_molestation-pastor-child
xchrom
(108,903 posts)For child abuse.
Except this time - & it doesn't mention gender here - I suspect it will be girls.
Baitball Blogger
(46,736 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)I'm thinking he got off easy here.
Baitball Blogger
(46,736 posts)If the victims are coming out as adults, it might mean we still have 3-4 generations of kids that still don't realize the environment is right for them to step up and talk.
Initech
(100,080 posts)One day every one of these assholes will get caught.
Paperbill
(3 posts)I know this pastor and he has had numerous problems with a daughter who has claimed all sorts of things about him over the years. She is now an adult and I would not be surprised that it is her that caused this arrest.
If he is guilty let him go to prison..
Baitball Blogger
(46,736 posts)Clever name.
Paulie
(8,462 posts)And when did he stop being at the pulpit?
And that a daughter claimed all sorts along with no bail makes me think someone should have been listening to her all these years, no?
Paperbill
(3 posts)Yes, the Church did investigate reports of abuse (spanking) and I am not sure of the outcome, but he did stay in the pulpit.
His stepping down had to do with his family but not this issue. I am not a member of the church so don't know all the details never was there any of these types of allegations
Lars39
(26,109 posts)And by church, I mean *anyone* in that church. People with power should be investigated just like anyone else. And knowing how SBC operates, they will throw a female under the damn bus every time to protect a male, let alone a male in power.
Paperbill
(3 posts)I have no knowledge of who made the claim, I just know it would not suprise me if it was her