Pastor Diego Fuller gets bond reinstated but can only lead church services via video

Alonzo Diego Fuller, the founding pastor of Journey Fort Worth Church in Texas, remained in custody Tuesday on charges of sexually assaulting a former parishioner, a day after a district judge reinstated his bail.

Tarrant County records show that Fuller, who has denied the allegation, was locked up at the Green Bay City Jail on May 5 for violating one of his bail terms not to have contact with an individual under 17 years of age, Kera News reports.

After a hearing on the violation on Monday, District Judge Ryan Hill reinstated the pastor’s bail at $75,000, with stipulations that he may minister to his congregation only via video and that he is allowed contact only with his own children.

Haltom City Officer Biedra testified that while supervising Fuller at his church on April 19, he saw him hug and hold at least two children who appeared to be under 6. The officer further claimed that Fuller kissed a male child on his head in a way that "didn't feel right" before handing the child back to his parents. Another officer reported in January that Fuller did not violate his bond conditions.

Darren De La Cruz, an attorney for Fuller’s alleged victim, argued during the hearing that the pastor had violated the terms of his release.

"[Fuller] was aware of [his bond conditions], and he continued to violate those rules," he said. "Although he is greeting family members, fist-bumping them, interacting with them, that, simply put, is a violation of his conditions."

Fuller, now 40, was booked into the Tarrant County jail on Sept. 1, 2025, on a second-degree felony charge of sexual assault, court records cited by The Dallas Morning News show.

The crime is alleged to have taken place in June 2025. He was released the same day on a $40,000 bond. In March, Fuller was indicted with an additional charge, child grooming. 

A statement from the Journey Fort Worth Church Board of Elders initially expressed support for their pastor.

“Journey Fort Worth Church has recently become aware of serious allegations made against our pulpit minister, Pastor Diego Fuller, by a former parishioner. Pastor Diego categorically denies these accusations of sexual assault and maintains they are entirely without merit,” the statement released on Sept. 3, 2025, said.

“Pastor Diego fully supports and welcomes a thorough investigation by the criminal justice system and looks forward to the opportunity to clear his name. He remains committed to transparency and truth as the legal process moves forward.”

At that time, the elders also stated that Fuller would continue preaching. Days later, Fuller announced he would step back partially from his pulpit out of respect for sexual assault survivors.

Fuller told his congregants that he was arrested on Aug. 31, 2025, during the church’s online service, by a group of 20 law enforcement officers, including members of SWAT. He said after he was booked, he planned to tell the church before the arrest became public knowledge, but the news media beat him to it.

“Sorry, I didn't get a chance to tell you first. They sent it out fast, and I was like, 'Boy, they be moving quick.' This was shared hundreds … thousands of time [sic] on every news article,” he said of his mug shot, which he also shared with the church while quipping that “I still look good.”

While urging the church to support him and his family in prayer as they face the allegations, the Journey Fort Worth Church pastor admitted that he is a flawed human being trying to serve God, but maintains that he did not sexually assault anyone.

“If you're looking for a perfect pastor, I am not your boy. I am human. I am flawed, and I'm still being shaped by God every single day,” he said. “But I will say again, the allegations made towards me in this case are absolutely not true.”