Fairview minister accused of raping adopted daughters

[moobu2]

FAIRVIEW — A Fairview church pastor has been arrested on complaints of rape and lewd acts with a child.

Major County Sheriff Steven Randolph said Monday that Tommy Pitts could face up to 70 counts. Pitts, who is pastor of the Midway Assembly of God Church, hasn't been formally charged.

Authorities said the allegations against Pitts involve relatives. The Associated Press generally doesn't identify possible victims of sexual assault.

Randolph said Pitts' wife told authorities her husband threatened to commit suicide after she confronted him about the alleged molestations. The sheriff said Pitts tried unsuccessfully to shoot himself then crashed his vehicle into a semi in traffic.

Randolph said the minister hasn't retained an attorney.

Assemblies of God district superintendent, Rev. Frank Cargill, said Pitts has been suspended pending the investigation's outcome.

Link

[Possumpoint]

1. If True

Drawing and quartering should be brought back into use.

[Sherman A1]

2. Sad

I hope that this is fully investigated and appropriate charges are filed.

[CanonRay]

3. Another for the Freedom From Religion crime blotter

[MineralMan]

4. Respectfully, I can't see how this story belongs in

Religion/Theology. People who sexually abuse children come from all walks of life. That this person is a minister is not reason to put a crime story in Religion/Theology.

My opinion, only, of course.

[cleanhippie]

5. You make a good point.

And normally, I would agree with you, but considering the number of priests and ministers that are involved in child rape and molestation (which is many times higher than the average population), it speaks to what MAY be a major factor in why these people do this: religion.

My opinion, of course. But its an opinion that is becoming more and more common.

[raccoon]

6. A counselor friend of mine told me there was a lot of sexual abuse in a very religious area she'd

worked in. I believe it was WV, but this could be true of a lot of places.

She said because there is so much in religion about being submissive to authority.

Also, fundamentalist Xianity is so patriarchal and sexist.

[moobu2]

7. I understand your point but

it's important to point out that nowhere did I say, nor was it mentioned in the story, that all ministers molest children. I don't think that is true. I doubt anyone thinks that. Ministers and priest etc...probably molest children at about the same rate as the general public, I guess, which is kind of my point. There is nothing special about those people at all. But Personally, I wouldn't trust one of them as far as I could throw him (or her) but that's just my personal opinion from vast experience dealing with them regularly.

[MineralMan]

8. My point is that it's a crime story and news, not a religious

discussion. :shrug: