Phoenix Youth Minister Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Child Molestation
A youth minister accused of molesting a child has pleaded not guilty in an Arizona court Thursday.
However, additional news about the court proceedings was unavailable.
Earlier this month, Mesa, Ariz. Police arrested Jasmine “J” Omar Brown after two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and three counts of child molestation, branching from his relationship with a juvenile male.
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The police authorities reported that the 12-year-old victim said Brown had touched him inappropriately on two occasions during summer camp at the Family of God Christian Fellowship in Apache Junction. Brown was arrested day after the report was filed, on Dec. 15.
Brown, 29, told investigators that he has worked as a full-time teacher’s aide since October at Phoenix Collegiate Academy, working with special needs children. Prior to that, he reported that he was employed at the Roosevelt School District.
According to police, Brown confessed to the alleged crimes that had occurred during the summer camp. Although Brown and the victim do not live together, they both spent many nights together during the summer camp.
Members of Brown’s church were shocked over the accusations, and told the local Fox News affiliate that Brown has been abused in the past. The charges against the teacher’s aide and church leader at the Family of God Christian Fellowship have shaken the entire congregation.
“Shocking, every time I hear something like that on the news it bothers me,” said Charlie Cox, a member of the Family of God Christian Fellowship. “There are so many people doing these kinds of crimes and it sickens me, it really does,” he said.
Cox also told Fox Phoenix that Brown has not returned to the church since the allegations arose. Also commenting on the child molestation case was the church’s pastor Michael Scott.
“Up to this point, he has been a stand up guy… perfect guy,” said Pastor Scott, who added that calling the police after the victim came forward was a difficult time.
“As much as we love Jasmine and pray, we have to do what’s right. It’s very hard to call the police on your own family, on a member of the church,” explained the church leader.
