Pastor in Citronelle, Alabama, charged in multiple rape cases

A Citronelle pastor, Gregory Adams, 63, has been charged in multiple rape cases, according to Mobile police and Citronelle police. Adams is accused of sexually assaulting multiple members of his congregation. Citronelle police said he was taken into custody in the afternoon at his son’s house in Wagersville. His family confirmed that he had been the pastor at Life Song Ministries in Citronelle.

Mobile police said a preliminary investigation suggested that Adams contacted some of his alleged victims through churches in Citronelle, Alabama, and Waynesboro, Mississippi. Police described the matter as an extensive sexual assault investigation and said they were thankful Adams was off the street.

Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste said the alleged abuse began when some of the victims were juveniles. “Our victims began their traumatic experience with him beginning at about 12 and it continued until about 30 to 31 years of age,” Battiste said. Minors involved in the case are not named in this report.

Battiste addressed the question of jurisdiction, noting that people may attend a church in one place while living in another. “At the end of the day these crimes he is charged with confined within city of Mobile jurisdiction,” he said. Adams is charged with three counts of rape in the first degree, two counts of rape in the second degree, three counts of sodomy in the first degree, and two counts of sexual abuse. These are charges, and Adams has not been convicted of any offense.

Battiste said of Adams: “Gregory Adams violated a sacred trust of this community those that depended on him most he preyed on and he took advantage of.” Speaking about the people who had relied on their pastor, officials pointed to the duty to protect the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3).

When Adams was walked out of police headquarters in handcuffs to a patrol car, he did not speak. NBC 15 reporter Rachael Wilkerson asked him whether he would apologize to the victims in person. Investigators said that no apology would ever be enough for the trauma the alleged victims had experienced. Battiste said investigators believe there may be more victims and that the department would continue working toward justice. “Anybody that comes forward with information we are going to follow through with it and try to make sure if they were victimized to hold him accountable for his actions,” he said.

This is a multi-agency investigation. Anyone who was harmed by Adams, or who knows someone who was, is asked to contact police.

Source: Read the original report