PALESTINE, Texas (AP) - A 74-year-old east Texas pastor faces an indecency charge after a 7-year-old girl accused him of touching her inappropriately after a church service.
Hezekiah Stallworth of Palestine remained in jail Thursday on $50,000 bond on a felony count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Stallworth could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor tells the Tyler Morning Telegraph that a 9-year-old girl has contacted authorities with similar claims since the alleged incident last month.
Stallworth is pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Elkhart, about 125 miles southeast of Dallas.
A jail official said there was no information on an attorney for Stallworth.
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Information from: Tyler Morning Telegraph, http://www.tylerpaper.com
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