January 6, 2010 in News, Idaho

Another alleged victim comes forward in Post Falls sex abuse case

By The Spokesman-Review
 
Tags:Jordan Vernonpost falls policereal life ministries
Anyone with information about alleged cases of inappropriate conduct involving Jordan Vernon, a former member of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, should contact Detective Sgt. Dave Beck at (208) 773-6341.
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Another teenager has come forward claiming to have been victimized by a former Post Falls church volunteer, police confirmed Wednesday.

Jordan Vernon, 20, arrested last week on suspicion he had sexual and inappropriate contact with several minor girls he met while serving as a youth group volunteer at Real Life Ministries, may face additional charges, Post Falls Police said.

“If anything, it would be one more count of statutory rape,” said Detective Sgt. Dave Beck.

Beck said new information has been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review.

The newest victim, a 16-year-old girl, is not affiliated with the church, Beck said. She is a friend of another victim who is a member of the congregation.

Vernon was arrested Dec. 28, accused of having sex with at least two girls, ages 14 and 17, and having inappropriate contact with at least two others, ages 12 and 14, from 2007 to 2009. Police believe he met and began grooming the girls while serving as a youth leader in training at Real Life Ministries.

Vernon posted $25,000 bond after being booked into the Kootenai County Jail last week.

On Wednesday, church elder Ben Wolfinger, also a spokesman for the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, wrote a statement on behalf of the church leadership.

In his e-mail to the 7,000 plus members of the congregation, Wolfinger praised members and church leadership for coming forward with the allegations that Vernon had inappropriate contact with several female youth.

“We commend the dedicated staff and volunteers from youth ministries and the safety and security team for doing the right thing, following God’s Word, and taking allegations of criminal misconduct to the police and letting them deal with it appropriately,” Wolfinger wrote.

While none of the alleged sex offenses occurred on church campus, Vernon was charged with misdemeanor simple battery in 2008, after reports he inappropriately touched a 12-year-old girl during church services. Vernon was also alleged to have sent inappropriate text messages to the girl. The charges were dropped.

Wolfinger said in his written statement that Vernon was dismissed from his volunteer positions, including with the church youth group, in July 2008. According to church records, Vernon has not attended the church since November 2008.

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Two comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • bil0802 on January 06 at 10:56 p.m.

    arent most alleged “christians ” great as long as you attend the right church and say the right words you are innocent

  • TekShepherd on January 07 at 8:27 a.m.

    Bil0802- For the record, I agree with you that there are a lot of hypocrites in the church and the world in general- however, in the case this story is inaccurate and incomplete.
    RLM staff or membership is not in the habit of giving predators a pass or jeopardizing the safety of our Children.
    Volunteers at Real Life turned this fellow in.
    He was a co-facilitator volunteer for a boys group in 2007-
    In July 2008 the staff at the church found out he had been texting an underaged girl and immediately removed him from all volunteer positions at the church ( On July 29th, 2008)
    The last time he filled out an attendance card for coming to service was November 30th, 2008.
    In April of 2009, Volunteers in the Youth ministry and the security team at the church learned of a website that indicated inappropriate conduct before this fellow and a young girl- they investigated, confirmed it was him, and took the evidence to Post FAlls PD.
    After a lengthy investigation by the police he was charged and arrested.
    No alleged attacks occurred on Church property. All youth staff members and volunteers undergo background checks of their Adult records, and nothing in his history would have precluded him serving.

    We ask for your prayers for courage and strength for all involved in this in this incident.
    Any questions or comments, feel free to goto the church website for the full body of this information.
    http://www.reallifeministries.com/new…

    God Bless-
    Tekshep

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