Pastor Ousted from East Austin Church Months before Sex Assault Arrest

By Katie Urbaszewski
The American-Statesman
December 9, 2015

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/pastor-ousted-from-east-austin-church-months-befor/npgGH/

At First Baptist Church on Heflin Lane in East Austin, the name of its pastor, who is accused of having sexual relations with a teenage congregant, has been covered by black duct tape on the church’s front sign.

The Rev. Henry Lee McGee’s name has also been covered on the church van, but one of the other pastors said the church has covered his name on its property for a while.

The church congregation voted out McGee, 68, of Round Rock, as pastor back in the fall, said the Rev. James Limuel. Before McGee’s ouster, the church in September held a special service celebrating McGee and his wife’s 17th wedding anniversary, according to the Austin Villager.

“Everybody was surprised by this,” Limuel said about the allegations. He offered his condolences to the teenage girl’s family. “We didn’t know what was going on.”

The church congregation has been shocked and hurt by this, Limuel said. He said McGee had been with the church for more than 15 years. Over the past several years, McGee has also traveled to Dallas and Fort Worth to preach at other churches and conventions.

On Oct. 14, the girl told authorities that McGee had been having sex with her since June 2014, when she was 13 years old, according to McGee’s arrest affidavit. She told police they had sex in various locations, including his house and his church office.

McGee is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, the affidavit says. The charge carries a punishment of 25 years to life in prison. Additional charges are pending, police said.

McGee was booked into Williamson County Jail but was released after posting bond on Monday.

Limuel said that McGee had previously served in the Army and used to live in Killeen. He hasn’t spoken to McGee since the ex-pastor left and is unsure whether, or where, he is working now.

On Wednesday, the case’s lead detective was investigating whether there were other victims, said Angelique Myers, Round Rock police spokeswoman. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the case or about other possible victims to call police at 512-218-5500.