Pastor Charged with Improper Contact with Teen

By Trista Pruett
Northwest Florida Daily News
November 14, 2014

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/local/pastor-charged-with-improper-contact-with-teen-1.401518


Larry Michael Thorne, pastor of Abundant Life Church, was arrested Friday on charges of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl.

Thorne had sexual contact with the girl on numerous occasions between January 2012 and this month, according to his arrest report from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with lewd and lascivious battery-engaging in sexual activity with a person 12 to 16 years old.

The girl was 14 years old when the touching began. She said it started with mutual massages and escalated to “sexual activity,” Thorne’s arrest report said.

The investigation included forensic interviews and “a controlled telephone call between (Thorne) and the victim,” according to the report. During the call, the victim confronted Thorne “numerous times” about the acts. He didn’t refute the allegations and changed the subject, the report said.

When the victim asked him directly if she caused what happened by “leading him on,” he answered yes and told her she “should not have hugged him that way,” according to the report.

Thorne admitted to having a relationship with the girl and admitted to buying her a phone and paying for her phone service, the report said.

He denied having any sexual contact with her.

When asked about the possibility of additional victims, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Michele Nicholson said she wasn’t aware of any as of Friday evening.

“In situations like this, there’s always concern with the potential for additional victims,” she said. “If there is anyone with information (about other victims), we would encourage them to contact law enforcement.”

According to Abundant Life Church’s website, Thorne began as a youth pastor in 1985 and became pastor in April 2007.

In a Daily News story about him taking over the post, a reporter spoke to Thorne and his father, Dr. L.M. Thorne, who preached at the church for 30 years before handing over the reins to his son.

Larry Thorne spoke about wanting the church to be a “lighthouse to our community, being true to our foundation.”

The church shares its address on Hill Avenue, in Fort Walton Beach with radio station WPSM Psalms 91.1 FM.