PALATKA (FL)
First Coast News [Jacksonville, FL]
April 24, 2025
By Christina Burgess
Court records reveal Leo Alfonso Parker may be related to the victim and he’s had contact with her since she was a young child.
Bond has been revoked for the Palatka pastor who investigators arrested last week and charged with sexual battery on a child.
Leo Alfonso Parker was the lead pastor at Emerge Church of Palatka. After going before a judge on Wednesday, the judge requested Parker remain in custody in the Putnam County Jail.
Court records obtained by First Coast News shows the victim may be related to Parker and he’s had contact with her since she was a young child.
Mom of two, Carmella Johnson, was stunned when she heard about the pastor’s arrest.
“It’s gut wrenching,” said Johnson.
Parker is charged with sexual battery of a minor 12 to 18 years old by a person in family or custodial authority, a crime punishable by life in prison.
As a pastor’s wife herself, she’s disheartened to hear these charges.
“When people come to you with that vulnerability, they come to you searching for help and searching for fulfillment with God,” Johnson said. “That’s a role the community should be able to trust.”
According to police records, on April 16, a complaint was filed by the victim’s mom. A warrant affidavit reveals the mother of the victim told police she obtained screenshots of text messages and money transactions between Parker and her daughter.
Another affidavit from Putnam County shows the victim told police Parker is a family member. Records go on to state Parker began sexually abusing the victim when she was 14, with the abuse sometimes taking place at church.
On April 23, 2025, Parker stood before a judge in court and the judge requested Parker be held with no bond and taken into custody. The Judge also instructed him to have no contact with the victim or minors.
“It’s a tragic thing,” Johnson said.
First Coast News reached out to Parker’s attorney and the assistant state attorney’s office in Palatka. We are still waiting to hear back from both parties at this time.
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