Upstate Pastor Called Sex Assault Center to Report Sex Crime, Director Says

WYFF
August 5, 2016

http://www.wyff4.com/news/upstate-pastor-called-sex-assault-center-to-report-sex-crime-director-says/41067624

The Upstate pastor accused of inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl called an Upstate center for sexual assault and child-abuse survivors to report he committed a crime against a child, according to the center’s executive director.

James Brian Briley is charged with criminal sexual conduct, the warrant said.

Deputies said Briley was the campus pastor at Summit Church on Rutherford Road in Greenville. A church leader said Briley was the pastor for four years and has been terminated from his position. (Scroll to the bottom of this story for a full statement from the church officials)

Police said he also worked at the Frazee Dream Center in the past. An official from the center told WYFF News 4 that Briley worked at the center seven years ago.

The executive director of the Julie Valentine Center told WYFF News 4's Corey Davis that Briley called the center’s hotline at 9 p.m. Monday and said he committed a crime against a child. Shauna Galloway-Williams said Briley was very detailed about what happened with the girl.

Galloway-Williams said the center is mandated to report crimes against children to authorities. She said in her 10 years at the center and her 20-year career, she has never had a person call to report their own crime.

"I think what's really hard for people to understand and don't realize is that most children are abused by someone that they know, they love and they trust," Galloway-Williams said.

She said Briley indicated in the call that other people had advised him to call.

Deputies said that the Julie Valentine Center contacted the sheriff’s office Tuesday regarding allegations involving Briley inappropriately touching a minor.

Investigators said Briley had inappropriately touched and molested the girl Sunday at his home.

The warrant said the victim gave authorities details of what happened. It said Briley confirmed what the victim said and added more details about what happened.

A neighbor told Davis that she couldn't believe it and that kids were often times at Briley's home.

"It's even harder for people to believe that someone like a pastor would commit this crime because we put so much trust in these individuals to be our leaders," Galloway-Williams said.

Briley was arrested and taken to the Greenville County Detention Center, where he was later released on a $25,000 bond.

Investigators said they believe there might be additional victims and asked that anyone with information about such cases contact investigators at 864.467.4704 or Crime Stoppers at 23-CRIME.

Galloway-Williams said children who are abused often times don't say anything out of fear, but she said there are ways for parents to pick up on possible signs.

"If a parent recognizes that their child might have had a drastic change in behavior, significant changes in their mood, or if they've noticed sexualized behavior," Galloway-Williams said.

Statement on behalf of the Elders of Summit Church:

“We are deeply saddened by the events that have unfolded this week. As of Tuesday, August 2, Brian Briley has been removed from all leadership and his position as Elder and campus pastor has been terminated. The Elders of Summit Church desire to be fully transparent in this matter. However, we also desire to honor the legal process. In the interest of privacy laws associated with these types of cases for victims of sexual assault, we are unable to give any further details at this point."