Daily Record
May 4, 2009
http://www.mydailyrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=106761&TM=44862.38
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| Ragland |
A local minister has been arrested on charges of raping a member of his own church.
Joseph Kennedy Ragland, the pastor at the Book of Acts Church on Southcross Street in Angier, was arrested Thursday. He made a first court appearance in Johnston County District Court Friday.
The 47 year-old minister is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl who is a member of his church after she allegedly went to his home on Melanie Lane in the Willow Spring community in western Johnston County on April 11. The victim reported the incident on April 12 after undergoing treatment at WakeMed.
Johnston County sheriff's investigators said the teenager and her family were members of Mr. Ragland's church.
Mr. Ragland was charged with second-degree rape, second-degree sex offense and sex offense in a parental role.
Johnston Sheriff's Lt. Chris Strickland said the incident still remains under investigation, but at this time, authorities do not suspect there are any additional victims.
Mr. Ragland was jailed under a $35,000 bond.
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