Millry Pastor Charged with Sex Abuse of Young Boys

By Kellie Jones
WTVM
December 18, 2015

http://www.wtvm.com/story/30787523/millry-pastor-charged-with-sex-abuse-of-young-boys

[with video]

Tommy Joe Newberry, a pastor in Millry, Ala., is charged with sexually abusing young boys.

A Washington County pastor has been arrested on child sex abuse charges.

Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer told FOX10 News Tommy Joe Newberry was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon.

Sheriff Stringer said Newberry was placed under a $36,000 bond Friday.

Investigators say Newberry, who is the pastor of the Red Creek Church of God in Buckatunna, Mississippi, is facing several charges of sexual abuse, sodomy and sexual enticement of a child.

Sheriff Stringer said complaints had been filed against the pastor three years ago, but investigators weren't able to collect enough evidence to make an arrest.

Stringer said this time around, several victims have come forward with shocking stories about Newberry.

"Recently within the last few weeks, we reopened the case, we started doing more investigating, and that was due to one of the victims coming in, talking with us, saying that he had been having a real problem for the last few months about what had happened to him, a few years back with this pastor," said Stringer.

The victims, say investigators, were allegedly all males ranging in age from 11 to 15 years of age.

Sheriff Stringer said Newberry is also director of a Youth Camp in Gilbertown.

Deputies say the alleged incidents were said to have taken place at the pastor's home, however detectives continue to investigate whether or not any alleged abuse occurred at the church.