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  Pastor Accused of Sexual Assault

By Laurin Sellers
Orlando Sentinel
June 27, 2006

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-bk-pastor
062706,0,5955848.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

Cocoa -- Police arrested the pastor of a Rockledge church today on charges of sexually assaulting a member of his congregation after telling her God wanted them to have sex.

Jesse M. French, 43, was arrested on 10 counts of sexual battery and 15 counts of lewd and lascivious conduct. French is the pastor of the Solid Life Ministries, Church of Disciples on U.S. Highway 1 in Rockledge.

The female victim, who described French as her "spiritual advisor," said the abuse began about four months ago when French said he needed to anoint her with oil because she was tired, said Cocoa Police spokeswoman Barbara Matthews.

The anointing eventually led to fondling and then sexual intercourse on 10 occasions, Matthews said. The woman said she repeatedly tried to stop the encounters but that French would quote scripture and tell her God wanted them to have sex. Police said they fear there could be other victims.

 
 

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