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  Preacher in Court on 9th Sex Charge

By Nita Birmingham
The Post and Courier
December 22, 2006

http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=localnews&tableId=123557&pubDate=12/22/2006

Goose Creek - Pastor Tyrone Moore's only travel since Dec. 2 has been under police escort from jail to court for bail hearings on charges of sexual misconduct against male members of his church.

The founder of Full Word Ministries made the trip once again Wednesday for the most recent charge of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct. The 22-year-old accuser began attending the North Charleston church in 2004, but the incidents occurred at the pastor's Goose Creek home, an affidavit stated. A clothed Moore, 39, lay on top of the victim and simulated a sex act, the affidavit said.

The arrest warrant is the ninth criminal charge filed against Moore by Goose Creek detectives. Another charge is pending in North Charleston, where police arrested Moore in November for second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The alleged victim was a 17-year-old congregant at the time of the offense, which occurred at the church, police said. He's now 21.

Between North Charleston and Goose Creek, seven males have accused Moore of attempted or actual sexual abuse. Their ages at the time of the incidents range from preteen to young adult. Moore's total bail in Berkeley County has risen to $1.25 million. He remained Thursday in the Hill-Finklea Detention Center in Moncks Corner, where he might end up spending his birthday. Moore turns 40 on Wednesday.

Moore's attorney, Eduardo Curry, has urged the public to withhold judgment on Moore until all of the facts of the case are known. Moore has placed "absolute trust in God" to vindicate him of the charges and allow him to resume his "rightful place as leader of his flock," Curry said after an earlier bail hearing.

Moore was a registered sex offender when he was arrested in November. He pleaded guilty in 1989 and 1991 to abusing two girls. He started Full Word Ministries on Gordon Street after serving nine years in prison.

Charleston County charged Moore with failing to register as a sex offender after his arrest in November. Moore failed to report his change of address when he moved to Applebee Court in Goose Creek, authorities said.

Moore was out on bail when Goose Creek police filed their first charge against him.

Reach Nita Birmingham at 745-5858 or nbirmingham@postandcourier.com.

 
 

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