NC pastor accused of sexually assaulting child held under $12m bond

John William Lovelace, 66, from Ayden, is being held at the Pitt County Detention Center under a $12.4 million secured bond.

The sheriff's office told WITN that Lovelace used to work for Faith Baptist Church of Ayden. A website affiliated with the church lists him as the current pastor, but the number listed on the church's website had been disconnected.

The Winterville Police Department charged him with four counts of second-degree forcible sex offense and three counts of sexual battery. The sheriff's office charged Lovelace with two counts of statutory sexual offense with a child less than 15 years old and one count of indecent liberties with a minor.