Church " Mentor" under Investigation for Molesting Children 3/26/12

By Shannon Murray
CBS 7
March 26, 2012

http://www.cbs7kosa.com/news/details.asp?ID=33557

Midland, TX - We are continuing to learn more about a Midland County man under investigation for child molestation.

57-year-old Harold Carden Thompson Jr. is charged with felony indecency with a child by sexual contact.

He is out of a jail on a $50,000 bond.

There is one child labeled as a victim of Thompson's alleged sexual abuse...but there are about 6 others that have come forward and will be interviewed in the coming days.

Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter says Thompson is considered a mentor in the church where he met the boys.

According to an affidavit obtained by CBS 7, 3 boys, ages 10, 11 and 12 would spend the night at Harold Thompson's Midland County home on the weekends.

One victim claims that in February, Thompson forced the boys to watch an R rated horror movie while the 10 year old sat in his lap and Thompson touched him inappropriately.

All 3 boys state they were asked to remove their clothes and lie naked on the bed as Thompson massaged them to "contact pressure points to remove ticklishness."

The affidavit also states that Thompson asked to weigh the boys on a scale while naked, claiming they had to remove their clothes for accuracy.

The report continues into detail of sexual conversations and remarks that Thompson made to the children.

"It appears that this occurred on more than one occasion. Several occasions, with several individuals," says Sheriff Painter.

But law enforcement believe Thompson's home is not the only place where the abuse happened.

"He was a mentor to some kids. He would go on trips, overnight trips. That's when these instances appear to have occurred," Painter believes.

People who live near by are shocked at the news.

"We're really good friends with him," says one neighbor . "I've just always heard good things...his whole family has always been real nice to us."

And after the news broke, e-mails were sent to CBS 7 in Thompson's defense.

One woman claims to know him personally, and even goes on to say that her children have spent time working on his ranch and she does not believe he would ever inappropriately touch a child.

According to the affidavit, Thompson did agree to an interview with law enforcement, where he admitted to sexual conversations and giving the boys massages. However, he says the children had underwear on and he cannot remember if he touched their genitals or not. Thompson also admits to asking the boys to stand on the scale without their clothes. He claims that past demons may be the cause of gaps in his memory.

Sheriff painter says they are not releasing the name of the church that Thompson attended at this time.

He urges anyone with further information to contact the Midland County Sheriff's Office.

Contact: smurrary@cbs7.com