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Church Pastor Faces Sex Abuse Charges As the Community and Family Speak out

By Randy Yohe
WOWK
February 24, 2016

http://www.wowktv.com/story/31296844/church-pastor-faces-sex-abuse-charges-as-the-community-and-family-speak-out

[with video]

A community expressed relief after police arrest a man they are calling a sexually violent predator. Police arrested a Southern Ohio country church pastor Monday, and said he preyed on children and the disabled.

A Jackson County, Ohio Grand Jury charged 67-year-old Dennis Wright with 15 felony charges. Charges that included seven counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery, two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and several other sexually related charges ...

Reports said two of the victims belonged to the church where Wright worked as a Minster. 13 news has more on how police are now looking for more victims.

"Everybody in the neighborhood knew what was going on," Elliott Perry said.

Perry lives next door to Pastor Dennis Wright's Old Emory Church. Perry said he often saw the 67-year-old minister acting inappropriately with children.

"It didn't look proper him setting up on top those little girls as they was driving. I've got daughters, when they ride in my vehicle they sit on the passenger side, not right up against him."

Wright's charges also included taking pornographic pictures, and abusing his stature as a man of god. The indictment alleged that Wright repeatedly used force or threat of force against his victims, one being substantially impaired by a physical or mental condition

The pastor's son wouldn't acknowledge the accused crimes, but told us his father was mean, and abusive.

"He was a hard man to live for; everything had to be his way. He did try to teach me at church, but he would get physically violent, yes sir he would," said Jeremy Wright.

Investigators said there could be more victims from Wright's previous ministries at Jackson County's Lighthouse Church or Calvary Pentecostal Church in Wellston.

The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Special Prosecutions Section working as part of Attorney General DeWine's Crime against Children Initiative. Eight of the charges filed against Wright included a sexually violent predator specification, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Anyone with additional information should contact BCI at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446) or the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 740-286-6464

 

 

 

 

 




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