WBAL
June 5, 2009
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/19667262/detail.html
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Woman Claims Deacon Also Sexually Assaulted Her
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore city police have expanded the investigation into a church deacon accused of child sexual abuse after a second potential victim came forward.
Curtis Allen, 48, a deacon at Park Heights' Beth-el Temple Church of Christ, was charged two weeks ago with abusing a teenage boy in the 1990s.
Following word of Allen's arrest, another alleged victim -- this time a woman -- came forward with similar claims.
The case has shocked the congregation.
"I'm flabbergasted, really. Everyone's got flaws -- skeletons in the closet somewhere. It's just amazing to find out what those skeletons happen to be," said church Bishop Richard Pender.
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Pender said during the time frame of the alleged assaults, Allen lived with his mother. He said he couldn't understand how it could happen.
"I know the accused well -- at least I thought I did. We're learning all of this as we go. It's unfolding before us, and we're really learning who's who and what's what," Pender said.
Allen is being held without bond.
Police are still asking any other potential victims to come forward as the investigation continues. Officials said they're investigating a pattern of child sex abuse that could span two decades.
The church stripped Allen of his deacon's title in 2008 when the first allegations of sexual abuse came to light.
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