Gp Department of Public Safety Arrests Former Church Pastor for Sexual Abuse

KAJO
February 24, 2017

http://www.kajo.com/news/local/stories.php?subaction=showfull&id=1487856244&ucat=2,4


The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety has arrested a former pastor at a now-defunct church for multiple sex crimes with an underage girl.

On Wednesday, 51-year-old Michael Howard Lewis of Grants Pass was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on charges including Rape, Sexual Abuse and Sodomy. His arrest came after an interview conducted at the police station.

On February 1st, Grants Pass Police began an investigation into the reported sexual abuse of a female juvenile by Lewis while he was a pastor at the now-defunct Friends in Christ Fellowship Church, which was located on Rogue River Highway.

Detectives investigating the case learned that between July 2014 and November 2016, Michael Lewis subjected the young church member to sexual contact several times while she was between the ages of 14 and 16 years old. The sexual contact occurred at the church, which was shut down last November.

Josephine County Jail records show Lewis posted bail and was released from custody.

Anyone with further information in this case is encouraged to contact Detective Heather Yerrick at (541)-450-6260.