Sister station WTAJ reports that the small community at Cedar Crest Baptist Church in Mount Union is shocked after their Pastor, Jeffrey Winstead was arrested and charged with aggravated indecent assault of an minor, corruption of a minor and indecent assault of a person under the age of 16.
According to police documents, the 56-year-old Winstead admitted to being in a relationship with a 16-year-old girl, a relationship that started when the victim was 14. The report also states one of the incidents took place inside the church.
According to church members, Winstead is married with four children. He had been at Cedar Crest Church for 24 years and was loved by the congregation.
Shortly after Thanksgiving, Winstead resigned abruptly without reason.
It wasn't until January 6 that the congregation found out about the situation.
WTAJ spoke with members of the congregation who chose not to appear on camera. They are stunned and saddened by the news, and a member of the church board said they are planning on releasing a statement on behalf of the church in the coming days.
According to police documents, the 56-year-old Winstead admitted to being in a relationship with a 16-year-old girl, a relationship that started when the victim was 14. The report also states one of the incidents took place inside the church.
According to church members, Winstead is married with four children. He had been at Cedar Crest Church for 24 years and was loved by the congregation.
Shortly after Thanksgiving, Winstead resigned abruptly without reason.
It wasn't until January 6 that the congregation found out about the situation.
WTAJ spoke with members of the congregation who chose not to appear on camera. They are stunned and saddened by the news, and a member of the church board said they are planning on releasing a statement on behalf of the church in the coming days.
