SOUTH CAROLINA: Former Baptist Pastor Charged With a Sex Crime While on Bond for Previous One

Written by Staff, WSPA-7

Union Public Safety says a former Baptist Pastor is facing charges for sex crimes against someone they say Berry knew was to be "mentally defective."



The pastor was also charged in March on charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and lewd act on a child under 16.



38 year-old Stephen Douglas Berry, of Jonesville, has been charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct 3rd Degree stemming from an incident officials say occurred sometime between February and March of this year.



Berry resigned from his position as an Associated Pastor at New Life Baptist Church back in February. The church told 7 On Your Side he was a pastor involved in the student ministry.



You can read more about that arrest by clicking HERE.



In March, the former Pastor arrested and charged with Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct With a Minor. Investigators say he was not working at the church at the time of his arrest.



However, according to an incident report, Berry had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl beginning in May 2010 through November 2010, at which time he was employed with the church.



The report stated Berry had intercourse with the girl a number of times and at "various locations." You can read more about that arrest by clicking HERE.



Court documents show the conditions of Berry's bond for the first charge was he was to be on house arrest and could only leave home to go to church, meet his attorney or go to the doctor and for no more than 3 hours.



The documents also show Berry's attorney went back to the judge and got the bond amended to allow Berry to look for a job between the hours of 7am and 7pm.



Sheriff Taylor says it was this "freedom to roam" that may have allowed him to commit other crimes such as the new alleged sexual assault. He says Berry is no on electronic monitoring.



Berry gave a statement to 7 On Your Side saying "I am absolutely innocent of all charges and look forward to proving my innocence in court. I am so appreciate the support from all the people who have loved me and supported me and allowed me to see Christ through them."

http://www2.wspa.com/news/2011/aug/05/4/former-pastor-charged-sex-crimes-again-ar-2231380/