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Nov 23, 2009 12:10 am US/Eastern
Police: Youth Minister Molested 14 Yr. Old Girl
CORAL SPRINGS (CBS4) ―
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Russell Dion Lewis is accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl.
Broward Sheriff's Office
An assistant music and youth minister at a Coral Springs church was arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, Coral Springs police officials said.
Police arrested Russell Dion Lewis, 28, Saturday morning at his Coral Springs home. Lewis worked at Church by the Glades on the 400 block of Lakeview Drive. His bond amount was set at $110,000.
According to police, the relationship, which lasted for five months, was consensual, but under Florida law a 14-year-old cannot legally consent to a sexual relationship with an adult.
Lewis is charged with one count of custodial sexual battery and ten counts of lewd and lascivious molestation. Lewis was taken to Broward County Jail.
Meanwhile, church officials are in disbelief.
"This is the hardest time in our ministry. It's a tragedy in the life of our church," said Pastor David Hughes of Church by the Glades. "I am broken by this. I am devastated by this. I can't wrap my brain around something this
horrible."
Police say all the encounters occurred on the church property.
The Coral Springs Police Department believes this is a single isolated incident. However, if there are additional victims, they are asked to call Detective Ken Clark of the Coral Springs Police Department at 954-346-1300.
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