COGIC officials: “no comment” on repeat clergy molester
LAS VEGAS, NV – A Church of God in Christ (COGIC) pastor who had been under a dark cloud of suspicion since a 2005 arrest for lewd conduct with a boy, has been arrested again and charged with 11 counts of sexual abuse [source].
According to an article appearing October 8th in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Billy Eckstine McCurdy, pastor of Revival Temple COGIC was arrested after an eight month long investigation by Las Vegas police.
Reporter Brian Haynes said “At the church Friday night, men in all black suits said no church officials were prepared to comment on the arrest.” Four days later, there has still been no comment by COGIC officials, a passive noncommital pattern the denomination’s current leadership has made policy since public awareness of growing sexual abuse cases came to light.The “no comment” position is the same one the denomination took in the 2005 case. Rev. Lawrence Daniels, operations chief for Church of God in Christ churches in Nevada, said he had no comment about McCurdy or his future at the church on Tonopah and Vegas drives.
Report COGIC Abuse, a site that tracks and documents cases of sexual abuse and misconduct by COGIC clergy, cited the 2005 case but was rebuffed by a woman who claimed she was related to McCurdy.
Just a year ago in late September, Doreese Johnson demanded that RCA remove McCurdy’s photo and information from its “‘Offenders Gallery” and hinted at legal action against the site.
“In viewing your site I came across some disturbing information regarding one of the profiles listed. It is of utmost importance that you remove the information regarding Elder McCurdy, from your site as the allegations were found to be false and were completely dismissed. Once investigated it was merely and attempt to extort money from this Great Preacher and community worker. In Order to preserve the integrity of your site and to keep you from any legal actions I suggest you remove the false information immediately. If you require further verification please contact the North Las Vegas Police Department which will confirm the dismissal of these unfounded charges. There was a news article in the local news paper stating that the Police Department would not pursue charges because the accuser lied. It is very important for us not to be instruments used by the enemy to destroy a person’s character. I do believe that one who commits such crimes against humanity should be punished. In this case it is NOT merited”
RCA did contact North Las Vegas Police, but they referred the inquiry to the courts. Per the Las Vegas Review Journal dated Sep 2, 2005, the prosecutor is quoted as saying “We didn’t feel we could prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, There was conflicting evidence concerning the accuser.” The prosecutor also refused to say the accuser “lied”, just that there was “conflicting evidence”. While Johnson is right that McCurdy wasn’t convicted (in that case), it was not the same as saying “allegations were found to be false and were completely dismissed.” There is a difference legally in not being able to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt and “all allegations being false”. Thus, the information RCA posted wasn’t false, just incomplete.
Now, McCurdy has been exposed as the pedophile predator that he is. Its still unclear as to why COGIC did not remove McCurdy or enjoin him from being a credentialed representative of their denomination. The church has demonstrated in the past that they have little to no control over sexual predators in roaming in their midst and an even weaker will to protect potential victims.
