Union County Pastor Charged, WSIL, July 16, 2010

Union County Pastor Charged

WSIL
July 16, 2010

http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=10635&type=top

A well-known Union County pastor has been charged with sexually assaulting a child.

Bill Vandergraph, 72, of rural Alto Pass, is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a four year old. Court documents state the crime occurred between January and May 2010.

During a court appearance Friday morning, Vandergraph's bond was lowered from $500,000 to $100,000. A judge ruled that if Vandergraph does bond out, he will be placed on home confinement and not allowed to have any minor children in his residence.

Vandergraph is the pastor of a church in Alto Pass. He's also the President of the Friends of the Cross, a group raising money to restore Bald Knob Cross. Late Thursday, Friends of the Cross released the following statement on Vandergraph's arrest:

"The Friends of the Cross Board is both shocked and deeply saddened by this news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those involved. Jeff Lingle, current vice president, will be leading the board until our next meeting. The Friends of the Cross' focus and mission remains the restoration of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace and we will continue to work diligently towards this goal."

Vandergraph is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Union County court on August 13.