BishopAccountability.org
 
 

Alabama Pastor Accused of Sexually Abusing 6 Boys over Several Years

By Erin Edgemon
AL.com
December 18, 2015

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/12/alabama_pastor_accused_of_sexu.html

Tommy Joe Newberry

A south Alabama pastor sexually abused at least six underage boys over the course of several years, Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer said.

Tommy Joe Newberry, 48, of Millry, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree sexual abuse, court records show. Additional charges could be forthcoming.

Newberry is the pastor of Red Creek Church of God, which is near the Alabama/Mississippi state line.

He was released from the Washington County Jail after posting $36,000 bond on Friday.

Stringer said the sexual abuse occurred over the course of several years beginning as early as 2003.

"We don't have any evidence of anything happening in the last five years as of right now," he said.

Newberry is accused of sexually abusing boys by touching them over and underneath their clothing.

One victim told police Newberry brought him to his residence and performed oral sex on him numerous times when he was a teenager.

There's no evidence at this time that any sexual abuse occurred at the pastor's church.

"We had allegations in the past about (Newberry) but could never come up with anything concrete," Stringer said. "We could never get any good information. It has been on the backburner."

That changed with an alleged victim "struggling with what had happened to him in the past" reported the sexual abuse to police, he said.

Stringer said other victims then came forward.

After being presented with the evidence against him, the sheriff said Newberry confessed to the crimes.

Stringer said Newberry is well-liked and considered a pillar of his community. Despite the allegations, many church members are standing by him.

 

 

 

 

 




.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.