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  Minister Free for 2 Hours, Back in Jail
FW: Pastor Facing Drug, Sex Abuse Charges Didn't Get Electronic Monitor

By Debra Dennis debdennis@dallasnews.com
The Dallas Morning News
March 4, 2006

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/tarrant/stories/DN-hornbuckle_04wes.
ART.West.Edition2.22d311eb.html

FORT WORTH – Embattled Arlington minister Terry Hornbuckle was out of jail for two hours Friday before a judge ordered him rearrested for failing to stay in custody long enough to get fitted with an electronic monitoring device.

Mr. Hornbuckle, 44, pastor of the Agape Christian Fellowship Church, had posted a $3.62 million bond on Thursday. He was released to the custody of adult probation officers early Friday.

State District Judge Scott Wisch, who is overseeing the minister's trial on drug and sexual abuse charges, issued an arrest warrant before Mr. Hornbuckle could leave downtown, officials said.

According to court documents, Mr. Hornbuckle left the custody of the Community Supervision and Corrections Division without permission and before his debriefing was completed.

"We don't know what happened," said Terry Grisham, spokesman for the Tarrant County sheriff's office.

"All we can be sure of is he booked out of jail at 8:42," Mr. Grisham said. "I don't recall a situation where someone's been bonded out of jail and rearrested before they leave the downtown campus area."

Mr. Hornbuckle is scheduled to go on trial July 31.

No bond hearings have been set.

Mr. Hornbuckle has been in and out of jail since he was indicted last March and April on charges of sexual assault and drug abuse.

He was arrested May 11, accused of violating the terms of his bail. A May 5 test found illegal drugs in Mr. Hornbuckle's system. A judge later ordered Mr. Hornbuckle into rehabilitation.

Mr. Hornbuckle was arrested again in August for failing to provide a urine test.

In December, he bonded out again but was arrested a third time after failing a drug test.

Before Mr. Hornbuckle was arrested again in December, Judge Wisch set bond conditions that allowed the pastor to attend his Mayfield Road church, according to court records.

The judge told Mr. Hornbuckle that he could attend Agape from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on any Sunday with a "bona fide church service."

The judge also ordered Mr. Hornbuckle to pay the costs of his twice weekly drug tests and monthly bond supervision.

Mr. Hornbuckle was also told not to consume alcohol or drugs unless prescribed by his doctor and pre-approved by the court.

"I will make sure you have a fair trial," the judge said. "I will not make sure you stay free pending that trial. Only you will make sure of that."

 
 

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