Pastor accused of sex abuse seeks lower bail

By Claire Withycombe
Bend Bulletin
January 21, 2015

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/deschutescounty/2800771-151/pastor-accused-of-sex-abuse-seeks-lower-bail

James Worley

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Beth Bagley, after hearing arguments from attorneys, postponed a decision Tuesday on whether to modify release conditions for a Gresham pastor accused of sexually abusing two children in Deschutes County between 2002 and 2004.

Bagley is scheduled to make a decision after hearing further arguments Thursday.

Appearing via video from the Deschutes County jail, 42-year-old James Worley wept as his lawyer, Richard Cohen, argued to reduce the $1 million bail set by Deschutes County Circuit Judge Walter “Randy” Miller on Jan. 7. Members of the Powell Valley Church, where Worley is a general pastor, filled the courtroom, holding hands and bibles.

Cohen argued Worley had been cooperating with authorities since the allegations of abuse were disclosed by a female in July 2012. He was arrested on a warrant by Gresham Police on Dec. 17, Cohen said.

“It’s been known for a long time,” said Cohen. He said Worley, per a court ruling, has maintained no contact with one of the alleged victims, a female who is now an adult.

“The person sitting in jail is consistently demonstrating respect for the law,” said Cohen, adding his client was not a threat to the community.

Deschutes County Deputy District Attorney Brigid Turner disagreed.

“These are very serious charges, and the Legislature has recognized them as such,” she said, referring to Jessica’s Law, which mandates minimum sentences for specific sex crimes. “This defendant is a threat to children.”

Turner said officials know more about the alleged abuse now than what was initially disclosed in 2012.

Worley, a former police officer, was discharged from the Tillamook Police Department in 2007. He was a recreational director for summer camps in Sunriver, according to Turner.

Worley is being held in the Deschutes County jail and faces 20 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, 11 counts of sodomy and two counts of first-degree rape, among other charges.