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Baitball Blogger

(46,735 posts)
Sat Jul 14, 2012, 04:14 PM Jul 2012

Local pastor faces child-rape charges

A 54-year-old pastor accused of child rape and molestation was ordered held without bond today at the Orange County Jail.

Rutherford David Downs is accused of two charges of sexual battery of a child under 12 and 13 charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12.

Downs was formerly the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Chuluota but it is unclear why he is not longer at the helm. Calls to the Orlando-area church were not immediately returned.

The current pastor, Marc Brashear, did not respond to requests for comment.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-14/news/os-david-downs-sex-pastor-child-rape-20120714_1_molestation-pastor-child

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Local pastor faces child-rape charges (Original Post) Baitball Blogger Jul 2012 OP
The baptists - the church that I suspect has flown under the radar xchrom Jul 2012 #1
I think we're only seeing the beginning. Baitball Blogger Jul 2012 #2
We just had a 79-year old sentenced to 5 years for sexually abusing two 10-year old girls. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #3
He did. What's crazy is how old these people are. Baitball Blogger Jul 2012 #4
Oh. Won't. Somebody. Please. Think. Of. The. Children. Initech Jul 2012 #5
Don't jump to conclusions Paperbill Jul 2012 #6
Thanks for dropping in Paperbill. Baitball Blogger Jul 2012 #7
Why isn't he still at the church? Paulie Jul 2012 #8
Getting way ahead Paperbill Jul 2012 #9
It was the church's responsibility to report suspected abuse to the police. Lars39 Jul 2012 #11
Daughter Paperbill Jul 2012 #10

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
1. The baptists - the church that I suspect has flown under the radar
Sat Jul 14, 2012, 04:28 PM
Jul 2012

For child abuse.

Except this time - & it doesn't mention gender here - I suspect it will be girls.

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
3. We just had a 79-year old sentenced to 5 years for sexually abusing two 10-year old girls.
Sat Jul 14, 2012, 06:09 PM
Jul 2012

I'm thinking he got off easy here.

Baitball Blogger

(46,735 posts)
4. He did. What's crazy is how old these people are.
Sat Jul 14, 2012, 06:12 PM
Jul 2012

If the victims are coming out as adults, it might mean we still have 3-4 generations of kids that still don't realize the environment is right for them to step up and talk.

Initech

(100,080 posts)
5. Oh. Won't. Somebody. Please. Think. Of. The. Children.
Sat Jul 14, 2012, 07:28 PM
Jul 2012

One day every one of these assholes will get caught.

Paperbill

(3 posts)
6. Don't jump to conclusions
Sun Jul 15, 2012, 02:56 AM
Jul 2012

I know this pastor and he has had numerous problems with a daughter who has claimed all sorts of things about him over the years. She is now an adult and I would not be surprised that it is her that caused this arrest.

If he is guilty let him go to prison..

Paulie

(8,462 posts)
8. Why isn't he still at the church?
Sun Jul 15, 2012, 08:47 AM
Jul 2012

And when did he stop being at the pulpit?

And that a daughter claimed all sorts along with no bail makes me think someone should have been listening to her all these years, no?

Paperbill

(3 posts)
9. Getting way ahead
Sun Jul 15, 2012, 10:00 AM
Jul 2012

Yes, the Church did investigate reports of abuse (spanking) and I am not sure of the outcome, but he did stay in the pulpit.

His stepping down had to do with his family but not this issue. I am not a member of the church so don't know all the details never was there any of these types of allegations

Lars39

(26,109 posts)
11. It was the church's responsibility to report suspected abuse to the police.
Sun Jul 15, 2012, 10:10 AM
Jul 2012

And by church, I mean *anyone* in that church. People with power should be investigated just like anyone else. And knowing how SBC operates, they will throw a female under the damn bus every time to protect a male, let alone a male in power.

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