A church service in Jacksonville, Florida, was interrupted this week when The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in Florida executed an arrest warrant for the church’s head pastor Paul Dyal over sexual battery of a victim 11 years or younger, Law And Crime reports.
Pastor Dyal, 78, of the Assembly of the Body of Christ was hauled to jail on charges of capital sexual battery on a child under 12. Two other church associates, Vernon Williamson and Jerome Teschendorf, were arrested in Oklahoma on charges of capital sexual battery, according to the report.
“In September 2020, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Special Assault Unit received a tip regarding possible sexual abuse occurring within the Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ Church located at 6350 Old Kings Road North,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Citing a statement from police investigators, First Coast News reported that children faced sexual and physical abuse dating back more than 30 years.
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Sources told the news outlet that there are multiple alleged victims who say they were abused by one or all three of the men as children in incidents dating back to the 1980s.
Authorities believe there could be more victims and opened a phone line for tips.
“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office believes there is a potential for additional victims and witnesses. We are asking that anyone who feels they have information regarding these incidents to please contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.”
Watch the report below from First Coast News :
