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  Pastor Charged with Abuse

By Danielle Zielinski
Daily Press
October 7, 2006

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/williamsburg/dp-46874sy0oct07,0,3333335.story?coll=dp-news-local-wbg

James City -- James City County police arrested a Williamsburg youth pastor Friday after reports that one child was sexually abused and another was struck with a belt.

Melvin Randall Sr., 36, of Newport News, was arrested about 2 p.m. at his home on Susan Constant Drive, James City Police spokesman Mike Spearman said.

Randall is charged with aggravated sexual battery, a felony, and misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with two separate incidents.

Spearman said a 10-year-old girl was fondled during a church movie outing. The girl was a member of a youth group at Faith Alive Outreach Ministries in Williamsburg, where Randall worked as a youth pastor, he said.

In another incident, a 9-year-old boy was struck with a belt at the Greensprings trailer park on Red Oak Drive in James City.

Spearman did not know whether that child was a member of the church group.

James City Police began investigating after a tip from the county's Child Protective Services office.

Newport News Police assisted in Friday's arrest, Spearman said.

Randall is being held at the Newport News City Jail.

Faith Alive Outreach Ministries is located at 5415 Mary Lane in Williamsburg.

The pastor of the church could not be reached Friday afternoon.

 
 

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