Pastor Accused of Sexual Abuse to Make Court Appearance after Thanksgiving

By Fernanda Hernandez
TXK Today
November 18, 2016

http://txktoday.com/news/pastor-accused-of-sexual-abuse-to-make-court-appearance-after-thanksgiving-2/

Farren being escorted from Miller County Courthouse Thursday, August 4.

A Texarkana pastor accused of sexually abusing two girls he met through his work as a clergyman is scheduled to appear for arraignment on nine felonies and one misdemeanor the week after Thanksgiving.

David Wayne Farren, 41, was arrested twice in August on warrants accusing him of sexual misconduct. He is currently free on a total $40,000 bond.

Earlier this month a criminal information was signed by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell charging Farren with nine felonies and one misdemeanor. Counts one through seven allege Farren had sex with a minor, “and was in a position of trust or authority over the victim and used the position of trust or authority to engage in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity,” with the girl.

All seven counts of first-degree sexual assault allegedly occurred beginning in April 2013 and continuing through August 2013. Count eight alleges Farren engaged in sexual contact with the same girl beginning in April 2012 and continuing through August 2013.

Count nine accuses Farren of engaging in sexual contact with a second girl in 2007. The tenth count alleges Farren violated a law which requires him as a member of the clergy to report child abuse. Farren is accused of knowing a child was a likely victim of abuse in 2012 and failed to notify authorities.

Farren’s name appeared on Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson’s criminal docket Nov. 15. Because Farren’s case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carlton Jones, Farren’s arraignment hearing has been rescheduled for Nov. 29 when Jones is scheduled to take the bench.

Farren’s Facebook page continues to identify him as lead pastor of Anchor Church in Texarkana. Farren has worked as a pastor and youth minister at other area churches as well.

If convicted, Farren faces six to 30 years on each of the seven first-degree sexual abuse charges. The two second-degree charges are punishable by six to 20 years. All of the nine felonies includes the possibility of a $15,000 fine. The misdemeanor charge involving alleged violation of the mandatory reporting law is punishable by up to a year in the Miller County jail and a fine up to $2,500.

Farren is represented by Texarkana lawyer Jason Horton.