Randall Danny Russell, 49, pastor of a church in Newton County, has been charged in Newton County with statutory rape in the second degree, statutory sodomy in the second degree and child abuse today after Newton County authorities allegedly found photographs of a nude juvenile female at the church, according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.
The arrest followed the serving of a search warrant at Garages and More, 11285 Mulberry Road. Authorities also confiscated several photographs of the nude juvenile female at the “Acts 2” church located on the same property.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the girl, who was 16 at the time, told authorities that she allegedly had oral sex and sexual intercourse with Russell on numerous occasions. On one occasion Russell allegedly asked her to take off her clothing as a way “to get closer to God.” She complied and was photographed in the nude. Some of the alleged sex took place on Sunday after church services.
Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said Tuesday there also is reason to believe there may be other victims.
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<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/updated.gif" border=0 > 12:51 p.m. Pastor allegedly had sex with minor after Sunday services
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