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Lakeland Police Interviewing Church Members In Sex Abuse Investigation

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By BILLY TOWNSEND | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2007

LAKELAND - The investigation into an accusation of sexual abuse by a volunteer at Lakeland's First Baptist Church at the Mall is continuing, Lakeland police said today.

But no arrests have been made.

No conclusions about the credibility of the accusations should be read into that, Lakeland police Sgt. Terri Smith said.

Rather, she said, Lakeland detectives have many witnesses and church members to interview before deciding how to proceed, Smith said. That accounts for the delay between Sunday's announcement of the investigation and a decision on an arrest, she said.

Police and church officials on Sunday announced to the public and the First Baptist congregation an investigation of alleged sexual abuse involving middle school and high school students who have attended the church. The investigation started about 10 days ago, police said.

It focuses on a volunteer with the church's student ministry.

A person who says they were a victim, now an adult, has spoken with police, Lakeland police spokesman Jack Gillen said.

Gillen refused to provide further details about the ongoing investigation. The church is cooperating fully with police, he said.

The volunteer has been issued a criminal trespass warning, according to church officials.

"We asked the individual not to be here while the investigation is going on," said Tim Parcheta, the church's executive director.

About 400 middle and high school students take part in the church's student ministry at any given time, Parcheta said.

About 9,000 people attend the church, which is housed in a 32-acre complex at the old Lakeland mall property on Memorial Boulevard.

Reporter Billy Townsend can be reached at (863) 284-1409 or wtownsend@tampatrib.com.

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