By Abby Dunn and Erin Cargile
KRIS
August 13, 2007
http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6917337&nav=Bsmh
Corpus Christi - Investigators said that a San Antonio preacher has been arrested, after a 15-year-old girl from Floresville, claimed she was abused while at a Christian boot camp in Banquete.
According to an arrest affidavit, the teenage girl was injured, when the camp director and another camp employee, tied her up to the back of a van and then dragged her along a dirt road.
Friday morning, Nueces County authorities arrested both the camp director and one camp employee in San Antonio. His name is Charles Eugene Flowers. According to a Web site for the Christian boot camp, or CBC, he spent 12 years in the Air Force before he started the boot camp up in 1995.
All the while, Flowers also served as the youth pastor of Faith Outreach International Church in San Antonio.
Flowers and Stephanie Bassitt were being booked into the Nueces County Jail, facing charges of aggravated assault.
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"I don't want to be arrested, like the next man doesn't want to be arrested," Pastor Flowers said. "But, there's a purpose in everything. So we're just going to march that purpose on out."
Those were the words of Flowers, just minutes before Nueces County detectives took him into custody Friday morning in San Antonio.
Flowers is accused of causing injuries to a 15-year-old girl, who attended his Christian Boot Camp in Banquete last month.
According to his arrest affidavit, Flowers, along with Bassitt, were leading a group run at the camp, when the alleged victim fell behind.
Investigators said Flowers and Bassitt tied the victim up to the back of a van and dragged her down a dirt path - accusations Flowers said he would not address.
"I don't really know the depth of what's going on," Flowers said. "So I really don't have a reaction to it. I purposely don't want to have a reaction; I'm just living life."
Flowers said he and his wife started up the CBC in 1995 to help at-risk youth between 13 and 19 find a closer relationship with God, while learning discipline for their every day life.
"The goal is to rescue our generation of young people from drugs, alcohol, disrespect, disobedience for their parents, and hook them up to purpose and understand they have a purpose in life," he said.
And while Flowers admits he's has come across a rebellious teen from time to time, he said he has never crossed the line.
"This is the first time in 13 years it's gone to this extent, but when you are dealing with the rebellious, then you are dealing with rebellion," Flowers said.
The Nueces County District Attorney issued a warning to all parents who send their kids off to camp.
The warning came the same day Flowers was arrested. Flowers and Bassitt are charged with aggravated assault, with bonds of $100,000 a piece. The case has District Attorney Carlos Valdez, wondering if parents really know what their children could be subjected to.
A consent form, signed by the girl's mother, said injury and even death were possible in the program. Moments before Flowers was arrested, he explained the mission behind his Christian boot camp.
"The goal is to rescue our generation of young people from drugs, alcohol, disrespect, disloyalty, disobedience for their parents, get them hooked up to purpose," he said.
And one camper said it's working.
"I was into drugs; I was on the wrong path," Richard Talamentez said. "Since I've been here, it got me closer to God, and got me back on the right track."
But the 15-year-old girl in question said she walked away with severe scrapes and burns.
What also shocked the district attorney...
"I just couldn't believe that anybody would sign something like this," Valdez said holding a consent form, "and here it is, signed by the parent."
The camp consent form that parents must sign says "I realize that Christian boot camp is a strenuous and highly intense program. I further realize that the possibility of accident, injury or even fatality to my child does exist."
"Your child may be killed at this boot camp, and the parent signs it anyway," Valdez said.
Valdez urges parents to not only notice the big picture, but read the small print as well.
"Just because it is faith-based, christian-based boot camp doesn't necessarily mean it's safe, that it's right, or that it's good."
Contact: adunn@kristv.com
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