Williamston, South Carolina, minister faces charges after backing sex offender’s church attendance

Tracy Gordon Black, 64, a South Carolina minister who faced public opposition for allowing a registered sex offender to attend his church services, now faces six charges, according to court records. He faces four counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, plus one count each of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of visual depiction or representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Graham McLellan wrote to The Roys Report (RR) that the charges are based on an investigation that yielded probable cause that Black had committed sexual assaults against a juvenile victim and had possessed child pornography. McLellan added, “There could be more charges to come.” Department officials arrested Black on Oct. 27. RR asked McLellan about Black’s connection to the victim and whether his office believes Black may have abused others, but McLellan did not immediately respond.

Black pastors a ministry that operates under several names, including Mobile Outreach Ministry, Mercy Outreach Ministry and Sabbath in the Park, according to WSPA-TV Channel 7, a Spartanburg affiliate of The CW Network. The ministry held weekly services in Mineral Spring Park in Williamston, a town about 20 miles southwest of Greenville. In April, social media posts alerted town officials that a registered sex offender was regularly participating in the services.

Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess ordered the park closed in April after learning of threats and planned protests against the sex offender, WSPA reported. He also required the ministry to apply for a permit to hold future events at the park. The town denied the permit, and Black appealed the decision at a July 6 town council meeting.

Speaking to the council, Black said, as reported by WSPA, “There’s no kid/predator thing going on—that is so far from the truth. We’re trying to offer the love Jesus Christ offered, the hope that only he can do.”

In an Oct. 27 social media post, Burgess said his decision to close the park “brought its fair share of criticism,” but he believes it was the right move. “These charges don’t establish that my earlier decision was correct, but they are a reminder of why concerns involving the safety of children deserve our full attention,” Burgess wrote. He added that he would “rather spend a week defending a decision made out of concern for public safety than spend a lifetime regretting one I was afraid to make.”

The mayor said he is praying for any victims and their families, and that if the allegations against Black are true, “swift justice is served.”

Source: Read the original report