WICHITA FALLS (TX)
KFDX/KJTL [Wichita Falls, TX]
March 1, 2024
By Joshua Hoggard
Recently filed court documents reveal more details of the allegations against a local pastor charged with sex crimes against several children.
THE LATEST: Court documents allege cult-like teachings from Ronnie Killingsworth
Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, 78, of Wichita Falls, is charged with six counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact. The indictment alleged Killingsworth committed sex crimes against three different female victims under the age of 17 over the course of eleven years.
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, officials with the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, tasked with prosecuting the case against Killingsworth, filed a notice filled with multiple alleged bad acts or offenses they intend to introduce into evidence.
New details of Killingsworth’s charges released
The state’s notice filed on Tuesday includes previously unreleased details on the indecency charges pending against Killingsworth, the longtime “Pastor-Teacher” of Rephidim Church, a non-affiliated congregation located on Allendale Road in Wichita Falls.
Previously, it was unknown whether or not the allegations against Killingsworth were connected to Rephidim Church. However, new details in the state’s notice appear to confirm that at least five of the six charges are linked to the church.
READ MORE: Wichita Falls pastor accused of child sex crimes has trial date set
The state’s notice alleged that in October 2000, Killingsworth touched a female victim under 17 years old and kissed her.
According to the state’s notice, in September 2001, Killingsworth allegedly touched a second female victim under the age of 17 and told her that if she didn’t separate from her friendships outside of the church, she would be kicked out.
The state’s notice also alleged Killingsworth told the victim that she was a bad child and that God would punish her if she didn’t do what he said. He’s also accused of telling the victim that God would punish her family if she disobeyed.
Court documents alleged that when the victim told her mother that Killingsworth touched her, Killingsworth said that all he did was spank her and that the child was a liar. He is also accused of telling the victim that if she continued to dress provocatively, she would end up getting treated in a derogatory way.
READ MORE: Local pastor indicted for indecency with child
According to the state’s notice, on May 29, 2011, Killingsworth allegedly touched one of the victims, a female under the age of 17, while discussing “duties such as sex and babies.”
Killingsworth is also accused of making the first alleged victim touch him and grooming the victim by showing favoritism by giving the victim books and instructing them to “keep the books secret and not tell anyone.”
Killingsworth set to face judge and jury in late April
Killingsworth’s trial has been specially set to begin on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in the 78th District Court with Judge Meredith Kennedy presiding. Bill Vassar, Tarrant County’s Assistant Criminal District Attorney, has been appointed as the special prosecutor for Killingsworth’s trial.
The case was transferred to Judge Kennedy in October 2023 after 30th District Court Judge Jeff McKnight voluntarily recused himself since he’d previously represented one of the potential witnesses as an attorney.
READ MORE: Judge in pastor’s alleged sex crimes case recuses himself
While released on bond, Killingsworth is prohibited from having any contact with the victims. He is also prohibited from going to the victims’ home, daycare, or school. Killingsworth is also required to provide a specimen of DNA to local law enforcement.
Before Killingsworth’s case goes before a judge and jury, a pre-trial hearing is set to occur on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma’s Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.