Longmont Church Officials Face Charges In Assault Case
BOULDER, Colo. (AP/CBS4) — Boulder police have issued tickets to two pastors and two elders associated with VineLife Church in Longmont after investigators said the officials failed to report allegations that a youth pastor sexually assaulted a child who was a member of the church.
Police said in a statement Wednesday a fifth church official, who is currently out of the country, will be served a summons when he returns to Colorado.
The victim is now 23 years old. She told police the relationship with her pastor began when she was 15 years old and continued for seven years.
Police arrested youth pastor Jason Roberson in September on sex assault charges after he admitted having a relationship with the victim, who was also a church employee.
The pastors and elders face charges of failing to report child abuse, a misdemeanor. They were issued tickets on Tuesday and Wednesday. They have been identified as Warren Williams, Ed Bennell, Luke Hembrecht and Bob Young. The fifth is identified as Walt Roberson, who is Jason Roberson's father and head pastor. He's currently out of the country and will be served a summons when he returns.
"They have an obligation to report this. They did not report to us upfront and, in fact, they waited until there was a police investigation to talk to us about any of this. That's why they're receiving tickets," Kim Kobel with Boulder police said.
The church released a statement on Wednesday after the tickets were issued.
"It was the understanding of the church leadership that the former employee did not want this matter to be made public," the statement said.
CBS4 went by Jason Roberson's home on Wednesday but nobody answered. Neighbors say his wife and two daughters still live there but they haven't seen Jason Roberson in recent weeks.
If convicted the five church officials who received tickets could face six months in prison.
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