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Published: 2013-03-08 13:22:00
Updated: 2013-03-08 13:22:00

Posted: March 8

Sex charges dropped against Dunn pastor on technicality

Paul Burke Johnson

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Paul Burke Johnson
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Dunn, N.C. — A judge has dismissed sexual misconduct charges against the pastor of a Harnett County church because of mistakes in how he was arrested, authorities said Friday.

Paul Burke Johnson, 76, who is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Dunn, was arrested in March 2011 on four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. Authorities said the charges stemmed from inappropriate contact between Johnson and a woman in a nursing home.

District Court Judge Resson Faircloth threw out the charges last month because Johnson's arrest wasn't valid under state law, authorities said.

The law requires that, because the officer didn't witness the alleged offense, a magistrate must issue an arrest warrant for misdemeanor charges before Johnson could be arrested.

Johnson was arrested without a warrant, authorities said.

Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

14 Comments


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Latest Comments
It does work out better if arrests are made using the proper procedure, yes, it does.
Click to view my profile FragmentFour
March 11, 2013 6:54 p.m.
Please do not base the actions of one to all christains. Faith comes by hearing the Word and were are going to hear it at? Read God's Word, Hebrews chapter 10 verse 25
bigboybo
March 11, 2013 2:04 p.m.
"If he was innocent, he'd stand and fight the charge, not celebrate that someone made a mistake in his arrest." - JAT

Are you crazy?! You never, ever want to go before a jury if you can get the charges dismissed. Guilty or innocent, you can't predict what they will do. The DA will put on a show, and do and say anything, true or not, to get you convicted. The very fact that you were charged with something makes most of them initially believe you are guilty.
Click to view my profile Lightfoot3
March 11, 2013 10:26 a.m.
I must say this in all honesty. It is not always the Catholic Priests or the Episcopal Priests.
Click to view my profile lwe1967
March 8, 2013 7:03 p.m.
He admitted his crimes back when he was arrested. "fully admitted his involvement in the incidents".

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/9341683/

This is why I would never take my children to church. Hypocrites of the highest order.
welfarequeen
March 8, 2013 6:56 p.m.
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