Pastor on Trial for Serious Indecency

A pastor appeared before the High Court on Monday facing two counts of serious indecency allegedly committed against a 25-year-old woman during a massage session in March 2023.

The complainant testified that the pastor had served as her spiritual mentor after she joined his church in June 2022. She said he had provided financial assistance and emotional support during a difficult period when she was struggling with money problems and mental health issues.

According to her testimony, the pastor gave her $400 and drove her to a private apartment on March 18, 2023, where he conducted a massage.

She said she trusted him because he claimed to be a certified masseuse.

She told the court he performed oral sex and penetrated her with his fingers without her consent. The woman said she attempted to push him away and told him to stop after he asked minutes later.

The complainant recorded a conversation with the pastor days later when he returned to deliver additional money. In that recording played in court, he is heard apologizing profusely for something he referred to as devastating and offering to fund therapy sessions while pleading with her not to pursue legal action.

However, in police statements read in court, the accused denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was only showing her the apartment for her to possibly rent.

Under cross-examination, defense counsel Wendel Alexander questioned why the woman accepted money from the pastor after the alleged assault and accused her of being financially motivated. The woman explained she had an urgent debt payment due that week. The defense also noted she had not verbally refused or said stop during the alleged assault and allowed it to go on for about 4 minutes.

The trial continues today before Justice Stanley John.