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  Bullitt Youth Pastor in Sex Abuse Case Released from Jail

By Daarel Burnette II
The Courier-Journal
December 17, 2007

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071217/ZONE10/71217035/1008/NEWS01

The Bullitt County assistant wrestling coach, substitute teacher and youth pastor who is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl was released today on $50,000 surety bond, the sheriff's office said.

Clayton James Pruett, 25, allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with the girl at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he serves as a youth pastor, said Lt. Detective Scotty McGaha of the Bullitt County sheriff's office.

He was placed on home incarceration and can't have any contact with anyone under the age of 18, McGaha said.

He was arrested after the girl and her mother told police that Pruett made inappropriate sexual advances toward the teen at the church, and that the behavior had continued for more than a year.

McGaha said the advances began when the girl was 14 and intensified after she turned 15. The worst offenses happened in July, he said. He declined to elaborate.

Pruett has been Bullitt Central's assistant wrestling coach since February and has worked 10 times as a high school substitute teacher in the Bullitt County school system, Farris said. He last substituted in late October.

He has served as the youth pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist for two years, said the Rev. Von Smith, pastor of the 250-member church in Shepherdsville.

The church has placed him on voluntary administrative leave, and he has stepped down from all responsibilities until the matter is resolved, Smith said.

Reporter Daarel Burnette II can be reached at (502) 582-4241.

 
 

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