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  Sex Abuse Charges against Former Minister to Go to Grand Jury

By Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
Jackson Sun
March 11, 2008

http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/NEWS01/80311014

BOLIVAR — Former minister Brian A. Riley has waived his preliminary hearing in Hardeman County General Sessions Court on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual battery by an authority figure.

The case will go to the Hardeman County grand jury, which will decide whether to indict Riley.

The Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church removed Riley's minister credentials after his second arrest in connection with sexual exploitation of a minor.

Riley formerly served as pastor of Middleton First United Methodist Church and Powell's Chapel and Reaves United Methodist churches.

On Dec. 13, Riley was charged with the Class C felony offense of sexual battery by an authority figure.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Middleton police searched First United Methodist Church and Riley's home at 125 Robin Circle. They seized a laptop computer from the church and a laptop and a desktop computer from his home.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's forensic examination showed all three hard drives contained sexually explicit images depicting minors engaging in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity.

Riley was then arrested again in connection with the images and charged with a Class B felony offense of sexual exploitation of a minor.

— Tyrone Tony Reed Jr., (731) 425-9758

 
 

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