By Tom Smith
Times Daily
August 25, 2007
http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20070825/NEWS/708250329/-1/COMMUNITIES
Lawrenceville (TN) — Authorities said a local pastor has been indicted after he was accused of inappropriately touching some of the female members of his congregation.
John Olivares, 66, of 370 Tripp Road, Lawrenceburg, has been indicted on five counts of sexual battery, according to authorities.
Olivares is the pastor at Cathedral of Faith Church in Lawrenceburg. The nondenominational church is at the intersection of First Avenue and Third Street.
Courthouse officials said the charges are Class E felonies and are punishable by up to a year in jail on each count, if convicted.
Olivares was indicted during the recently concluded August session of the Lawrence County grand jury.
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| John Olivares |
The case was investigated by the Lawrenceburg Police Department.
Local authorities said Olivares is accused of fondling church members by inappropriately touching them when he would hug them. Investigators said the complaints also involved a juvenile girl.
When contacted at his home, Olivares refused to comment on the case, referring all questions to his attorney, Daniel Freemon, of Lawrenceburg.
Freemon said his client denies any inappropriate touching. He said Olivares' gestures of friendship were taken out of context.
Freemon said Olivares was served with the indictment Wednesday and he turned himself in to authorities at the Lawrence County Jail on Thursday morning.
He has been released on bail of $12,500.
Reports indicate that Olivares has been a pastor for 20 years.
When contacted at Olivares' home, a woman at the residence said the church had 60 to 100 members and that Olivares plans on being at church Sunday to conduct services.
Freemon said Olivares is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on Sept. 20 for an arraignment.
Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.
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