Pastor Told Her God Would Kill Her If She Told

By Michelle Homer
KHOU
November 4, 2016

http://www.khou.com/news/crime/rape-victim-pastor-told-her-god-would-kill-her-if-she-told/348254787

Ronald Wayne Mitchell

A Magnolia teen who said she was sexually abused by a pastor said the suspect told her she would "drop dead" if she told anyone because God would kill her.

She also told investigators the pastor’s wife drove her to a clinic to get birth control shots.

The allegations are part of a graphic court document detailing the alleged sexual abuse by Ronald Wayne Mitchell.

Mitchell was arrested earlier this week and charged with sexual assault of a child.

The victim lived with Mitchell and his wife at the home where he also operated his Body of Christ Ministry. Several other parishioners also lived in the home.

The victim’s mother said she left her daughter behind when she moved out because Mitchell told her the teen “needed more supervision.”

The girl told investigators Mitchell began sexually assaulting her last November. She said he often played “old people music” while forcing her to have intercourse and oral sex.

The girl told investigators Mitchell took her to area hotels and on trips to Las Vegas, San Antonio and Galveston.

The girl’s mother said Mitchell physically abused her and other church members. She said she tried several times to retrieve her daughter but Mitchell wouldn’t let her leave. She finally got her back in September with help from Magnolia police officers. The mother said her daughter told her about the sexual abuse on Oct. 24 so she called police.

Other church members defend Mitchell.

“It’s just wrong,” said Celexia Smith. “Why would you accuse someone who’s completely innocent and ruin his life? Why would you do something like that?”

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Mitchell posted bond Wednesday night but has not yet been released from jail because the judge has required him to surrender his passport and wear a GPS ankle monitor.