FLORIDA
Sun Sentinel
By Paula McMahon
Sun Sentinel
To the outside world, Jeffery London was an upright, God-fearing pastor, a dean of students, a youth group leader and school security guard who benevolently brought needy boys to live with him.
But witnesses who testified for the prosecution Friday in London’s trial on a federal sex charge, said London’s public persona belied his manipulative, abusive behavior in private.
London, 51, has pleaded not guilty to one count of using a cellphone to lure a minor into sexual activity with him.
Former church and school official, Jeffery London, 51, is now facing a federal charge accusing him of using a cell phone to lure an underage boy into sexual activity. (Broward Sheriffs Office/Handout)
The alleged victim, now 20, told jurors London sexually abused him between the ages 7 and 16. The man is not being identified by the Sun Sentinel because of the nature of the allegations.
Jurors also heard Friday from London’s ex-wife, Aretha Wimberly, who testified she came home unexpectedly one day to their Coral Springs home and found London in bed — under the covers and behind a locked bedroom door — with another underaged boy.
Though she saw no sexual activity, after unlocking the door with a spare key her husband did not know she had, she said the incident made her “very uncomfortable.”
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