Church Crime Watch February 18, 2024
Active Shooter at Lakewood Church, Houston
Thank you for the notifications when this was happening. I've done a couple videos on this incident already and talked about it on our live stream Saturday. Information on this incident is evolving. With all police investigations, the narrative may change focus as investigators dig deeper. As information comes up, I will put it out to all of you. Just know that having an armed security team at all open entrances makes all the difference.
Former Franklin Church Pastor Indicted on Child Sex Crimes
In Franklin, Tennessee, a former associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church, Rev. Juan Carlos Garcia, has been indicted on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse. The indictment, issued by the Williamson County grand jury, includes one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, and two counts of sexual battery. These charges followed after the Diocese of Nashville received reports of alleged misconduct, leading to an investigation by the Franklin Police Department and Garcia's removal from his position in early November. The Diocese of Nashville has urged anyone with suspicions of child sexual abuse to report to civil authorities and has emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, encouraging those with information about Garcia to come forward. Garcia is expected to turn himself into the Williamson County Jail.
Where there is one victim, there are many. Each week we have a sexual assault of a child in the news. Each week! Stop burying your church’s issues, stay on the lookout for predators and do background checks on all volunteers and employees. Lastly, keep an eye on your people for signs of predators.
Dismissal of Pastor Aaron Ivey at Austin Stone Church
The Austin Stone Church, a prominent evangelical establishment in Austin, Texas, has terminated Aaron Ivey, its head worship pastor, following the revelation of inappropriate and explicit text communications with adult males, including an underage individual. This decision, announced on February 11, 2024, comes after church elders identified a pattern of behavior dating back to 2011 that included predatory manipulation, sexual exploitation, and abuse of influence. Ivey's actions were deemed in direct violation of the biblical standards upheld by the church. The church's investigation revealed multiple instances of misconduct, prompting them to report the situation to the appropriate authorities and engage MinistrySafe for guidance on preventing child abuse. This incident has raised concerns within the church community about trust and the protection of its members, especially the victims and their families. Aaron Ivey, also known for his marriage to bestselling author and podcaster Jamie Ivey, has not commented on the allegations.
This is what a church should do. They uncover sexually inappropriate actions that could put our children in harms way and they act. No cover up, no denial, no ignoring the facts. Here, he allegedly was texting a child inappropriately. We must act, investigate and work with authorities. Next up, work hard at preventing this from happening in the first place.
Arson Attempt at Regina Church
In Regina, an attempted arson at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church was captured on surveillance video, as reported by CBC on February 12, 2024. The footage, posted by Father James Hentges, clearly shows an individual attempting to set fire to the office entrance of the church. This incident has raised concerns about security at religious institutions in the area.
Take a look at the video at the link below. Each week, you can count on an arson being in this newsletter. Get a fire alarm and a burglar alarm while you are at it. I keep saying it each week, yet churches I visit still are lacking in this basic life safety system.
Juvenile Arrested for Robbery and Threats at Iredell County Church
In a concerning event on February 2, 2024, a juvenile was arrested following an attempted armed robbery and threats of violence at Bethlehem Methodist Church in western Iredell County, as reported by WHKY. The Iredell County Sheriff's Office was alerted to an incident where a victim working outside the church was approached by a male gunman demanding everything in his pockets. Upon refusal, the gunman threatened to "shoot up the whole church" before fleeing. Law enforcement's investigation led them to a local juvenile who matched the description provided by the victim. The 16-year-old resisted arrest, becoming combative and even spitting at a detective. He faces charges including felony counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, communicating threats of mass violence, and malicious conduct by a prisoner. He is currently held in secured custody at the Alexander County Juvenile Detention Center, highlighting the gravity of threats to community safety and security, especially involving places of worship.
Situational awareness is paramount. I’ll be doing a video soon on this subject. Lastly, when someone makes a threat like this, expect that they will come back and take proper security precautions until the person is caught.
Memphis Churches Seek Security Solutions After Crime Spree
Following a deadly crime spree on Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee, local churches are urgently seeking ways to enhance their security. Retired police captain and security services owner, Bennie Cobb, reported receiving calls from multiple churches requesting advice on safety measures. The spree involved 20-year-old Courdarion Craft, who is accused of carjacking a woman outside Center Chapel Baptist Church and firing shots into the Church of Eden. These violent incidents have alarmed the religious community, prompting leaders like Senior Pastor Ricky Floyd of Pursuit of God Transformation Center to stress the importance of both physical security measures and fostering a strong community relationship as defenses against such threats. Cobb emphasized the necessity of training multiple people or teams within large organizations like churches to respond effectively to emergencies, ensuring the safety of congregants and church property.
Alert from Newsletter Follower: Incident at Church of the Highlands in Pelham
A concerning incident occurred at the Church of the Highlands in Pelham, Alabama, on Sunday last week, as brought to our attention by a vigilant follower of our newsletter. Pelham police reported that a teenager, with an active capital murder warrant out of Montgomery County, was apprehended outside the church premises. This event unfolded after an adult and eight juveniles arrived at the church in two vehicles. A volunteer, assisting with shuttling attendees from the parking lot to the church, noticed a firearm in the waistband of one of the juveniles. Upon being informed that weapons were not allowed inside, the juvenile placed the firearm in a vehicle, which was then driven away by a juvenile female before returning shortly after. The 16-year-old male was detained by Pelham officers without incident, and the firearm was later discovered hidden in bushes on church property. The teen is charged in the November 17, 2023, shooting death of 21-year-old Tanario Abner in Montgomery.
We extend our gratitude to the newsletter follower for sharing this crucial information with our community. It was his security team involved in this incident. This incident proves that you need to have your parking lot teams involved in the security ministry’s training days.
Plot to Attack Ontario Christian High School Thwarted
In San Bernardino County, California, an 18-year-old student was arrested for planning a school shooting at Ontario Christian High School. The arrest occurred over the weekend after the Ontario Police Department was alerted to "viable threats" made by the student on February 8. The police chief revealed that the student, who had meticulously researched tactical supplies and police response times, was found with an arsenal at his home, including seven rifles, two revolvers, one handgun, one shotgun, and over a thousand rounds of ammunition. The investigation identified five intended victims, all students at the school, and suggested a possible sixth. Charged with attempted criminal threats and five counts of attempted murder, the student showed a disturbing fascination with school shootings, notably the Columbine massacre, suggesting he might have been planning the attack for April 20, the anniversary of that tragedy. A tip from a fellow student, who noticed the suspect's fixation on school shootings, played a crucial role in preventing the attack, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the "see something, say something" principle in school safety.
Huntsville Church Burglary Suspect Sought
Huntsville Police Department is seeking assistance from the public to identify an individual involved in a church burglary on January 3 in Huntsville, Texas. The suspect was captured in photos wearing a dark jacket, a black mask, a white undershirt, blue pants, and was seen with a gray stroller. Authorities urge anyone with information about the suspect's identity to contact Detective Coffin directly or to anonymously report tips to Walker County/Huntsville Crime Stoppers. I’ll repeat this again, please get a burglar alarm for your church.
Incident at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley
A man is facing sex crime charges for locking a woman in the church bathroom and exposing himself. The incident occurred during Sunday services on January 7 in a Baptist church in Berkeley, CA. The suspect, identified as a 28-year-old from San Francisco, followed the woman into the bathroom, locked the door, and was later found by the woman exposing himself. The suspect, who was arrested on February 2 following a fare evasion stop, has been charged with false imprisonment and indecent exposure, both misdemeanors. He was released on his own recognizance and is expected back in court on March 19 for a pretrial hearing. This alarming event underscores the need for vigilance and safety in places of worship.
I worked in the same county as Berkeley for 30 years. This area has a fair amount of homeless in the area and this type of crime is common with this population. Many churches help the homeless and need to be extra alert when helping this population.
Arson Attack on Predominantly Black Church in North Providence
A Rhode Island man, Kevin Colantonio, 34, of North Providence, has been federally charged for allegedly setting multiple fires at the Shiloh Gospel Temple, a predominantly Black church, causing significant property damage. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island described the acts as a "deliberate act" of vandalism. The church was empty at the time of the incident, preventing any injuries. Surveillance footage played a critical role in identifying Colantonio, who was seen buying a gas canister and a lighter before heading towards the church and setting the fires. Disturbingly, notebooks and writings seized from Colantonio contained phrases expressing hate towards racial and religious groups. He faces charges of maliciously damaging or destroying property by means of fire or explosion, with more charges potentially forthcoming.
Each week, we can expect at least 1 arson, 1 shooting, some sexual abuse and a plethora of property crimes. There are evil people in the world, but we must keep our churches from becoming bunkers. With that said, get a fire alarm and a burglar alarm. I’m curious why your church doesn’t have one? Is it cost? Inconvenience? Let me know in the comments. I truly want to know.
For more details, read the full story on ABC News.