Cops: Pastor charged in ‘super felony’ sex assault may have hurt others

By Philip Jankowski
American-Statesman
December 08, 2015

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/cops-pastor-charged-in-super-felony-sex-assault-ma/npfdQ/

Austin pastor Henry Lee McGee is charged by Round Rock police with having a sexual relationship with a minor since she was 13 years old.

Round Rock police officers arrested an East Austin pastor accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage parishioner.

Henry Lee McGee Sr., 68, is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child after the victim told authorities of numerous sexual encounters with the pastor of First Baptist Church, 4805 Heflin Lane in East Austin. The abuse lasted more than a year, according to an arrest affidavit.

McGee was arrested Monday and released later that day after posting $80,000 bail, according to Williamson County Jail records.

Phone messages to the church and McGee were not immediately returned Tuesday.

McGee was listed as the lead pastor on the church’s website Tuesday afternoon. The church is the oldest African-American Baptist church in Travis County, according to its website.

Police investigators said they first learned in October that McGee might have a sexual relationship with the victim shortly after friends at her youth group began questioning their relationship. The victim told her friends she had an ongoing sexual relationship with McGee that began in June 2014 when she was 13 years old, the affidavit said.

Her name is being withheld due to her age and the nature of the crime.

The girl gave similar information to investigators, telling them that at least one of the assaults occurred at a hotel, the affidavit said.

Continuous sexual abuse of a child is an elevated first-degree felony sometimes referred to as a “super felony” that carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Round Rock detectives said they believe there might be other victims. They ask anyone with information about the case to call 512-218-5500.