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	Roanoke Pastor Charged with Sexual Abuse By Penny L. Pool Randolph Leader May 4, 2011 http://www.therandolphleader.com/news/article_bf3a1afe-774d-11e0-b059-001cc4c002e0.html Well-known community leader and pastor Steve Dean turned himself in at the Randolph County Jail Tuesday on charges of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old, according to Roanoke Police Chief Adam Melton. Dean, pastor of rapidly growing Community Life Church, said on Thursday: "My innocence will be proven and on the advice of my attorney I'm not at liberty to discuss this any more." He has retained John Tinney as his attorney. The chief said the parents and alleged victim made a report at the Roanoke Police Department Saturday, April 23. He declined to give the child's age or gender or state whether he or she is a member of Dean's church. The church, located on County Road 79, recently built a new building. Police began an investigation, interviewing the victim and several witnesses, he said. Tuesday, after discussions with the district attorney's office and the circuit clerk's office a warrant was issued for the arrest of Dean, 45, of 546 Lane Ave. and at 6 p.m. he turned himself in to the jail; posted a $25,000 bond and was released at 6:30. Dean spoke at the Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning and was expected to be involved in the Prayer Chain on Main Street later in the day. He is one of the two people who signed the request for the permit to hold the chain in downtown Roanoke for the second year. Sexual abuse is when a person subjects another person to sexual contact by force or someone incapable of consenting or when someone 16 years of age or older subjects a person under the age of 12 to sexual contact. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the members of the church and all the parties involved," Melton said. "We need to let the criminal justice system do its job," Melton said. "I would certainly hope if there are any other victims or witnesses they need to contact the police department's investigations unit." They have not received any other complaints, he said. Counseling is being made available to the child through the Department of Human Resources, he said. The incident is alleged to have occurred at Dean's home. James Bailey and Lorenzo Foster are investigating the case. "We did a thorough investigation, it is still ongoing, it is not concluded. Any new evidence of any nature will be considered. We acted on the district attorney's recommendation and the circuit clerk issued an arrest warrant based on probable cause," Melton said. It was not a decision made by Investigator Bailey or Investigator Foster, he said. This is something they all looked at, including the district attorney's office and the clerk's office, he added. Assistant District Attorney Amy Newsome said Dean's attorney has not requested a preliminary hearing. He has 30 days from the day of arrest to ask for one. This case is expected to be presented to the next grand jury, which is seated in August. Upon conviction of sexual abuse a person faces a 2- to 20-year sentence.
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