Former Youth Pastor Accused of Giving Kids Alcohol, Drugs and Porn
A former youth pastor has been charged with sex crimes involving young men at an Arkansas church.
Larry Michael Berkley, who has pastored churches in Arkansas and Tennessee, is accused of providing children with alcohol, drugs and porn, and then sexually assaulting them while he was a pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Harrison, Arkansas, WREG Memphis reports.
Berkley, 34, was arrested at a cemetery in Covington, Tennessee, Monday afternoon after finishing a funeral service.
Police in Harrison say the investigation into the former pastor began March 28, while he was a pastor at Shiloh Baptist. They interviewed more than a dozen male victims—all between the ages of 14 and 18—through mid-April.
One victim said he went to Berkley’s house believing it was a Bible study. While there, he was allowed to drink and smoke marijuana and a hookah.
Several victims said the pastor used to walk around naked, and he had sexual contact with them on more than one occasion.
Harrison Police Chief Paul Woodruff said they believe the Arkansas church isn’t the first Berkley has targeted, reports KY3.
“We’re pretty sure this isn’t the first time,” Woodruff said. “This is too in-depth. I think he’s been doing this for years.”
Though Woodruff believes they have found all the victims in Harrison, he urges any others to come forward.
“If there is another victim out there, or victims that we may have missed or this other group didn’t know about, please come forward, so we can try to get you some help with counseling and whatever else you may need,” he said.
An employee at Shiloh Baptist also reported that at least $4,400 is missing. Berkley was allegedly supposed to use the money to make a payment on a mission trip.
Berkley was senior pastor at Victory Baptist Church in Henning, Tennessee, 2 1/2 years ago. He was reportedly asked to leave the church, but no one at the church has said why.
