Spokane7
49°
January 6, 2010 in City
Ex-Post Falls church youth leader arrested
He’s accused of having sex with underage girls
Vernon
(Full-size photo)
A former Post Falls church youth leader was arrested last week on suspicion he had sexual and inappropriate contact with several minor girls from the congregation.
Another man was also arrested for allegedly trying to intimidate a witness in the case, said Post Falls police detective Sgt. Dave Beck.
Jordan Vernon, 20, is 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, while serving as a youth leader in training at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls from 2007 to 2009.
Vernon was arrested Dec. 28 on charges of sexual battery of a minor child under the age of 16, lewd conduct with a minor child under the age of 16, and statutory rape for having sexual intercourse with a child under 18, among other charges, police said.
According to authorities, Vernon has a history of grooming young girls at the church, beginning in December 2007, when he was investigated for inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl during church services and sending inappropriate text messages to a 14-year-old church member.
Vernon allegedly pressed the 12-year-old “to sneak out of the house,” to be with him, Beck said. Vernon was charged with a misdemeanor in that case, which was later dismissed, Beck said.
In September 2009, a church youth pastor contacted authorities about additional cases of inappropriate conduct involving Vernon.
He is alleged to have had sex with a 14-year-old church member in December 2007, Beck said. At the time Vernon was 18 or 19 years old and was a student leader in training at the church.
Beck said Vernon would give the girl rides to church, and that the pair once had sex in his car. Vernon took photos of the girl performing oral sex on him and posted the photos on a MySpace page under the pseudonym “Frank,” Beck said.
Another victim, a church member who is now 17, also allegedly had sex with Vernon in the summer of 2009. He had known the girl since she was 14 but did not become sexually active with her until she was 17, Beck said. The age of consent in Idaho is 18.
“I’m concerned there might be more victims,” Beck said. “His behavior is what I would call predatory in nature.”
Vernon posted $25,000 bond after being booked into the Kootenai County Jail last week, Beck said.
Luke Denman, 28, a relative of Vernon, was also arrested for intimidating a witness. Denman allegedly went to the church after learning authorities planned to arrest Vernon and threatened a church member, Beck said.
Past and present 
Ninch on January 06 at 9:59 a.m.
So why did Real Life Ministries allow this guy to continue in his “leadership” role when he was already tagged as a scum pedophile in 2007? It was nothing like “normal” boys hitting on girls their own age.
Orange on January 06 at 10:05 a.m.
Real Life takes forgiveness to a new level apparently.
abercrombie on January 06 at 1:15 p.m.
I am sad to say that the accused seems to look rather happy. I find that odd.
This is just another reason so many people frown upon organized religion.
Broken on January 06 at 2:22 p.m.
As a father, stories like this sicken me. I hope we can keep in mind the actions of this young boy are the issue at hand. He did carry out those actions while pretending to be a mentor to younger children in a church forum, and that is extremely unfortunate. Let’s face it though, we all have the ability to convince people we are something quite different than who we really are. I hope that this does not turn into an all out assault on the church.
Broken on January 06 at 2:24 p.m.
My heart goes out to the victims and their families, as well as the congregants, pastors and elders.
abercrombie on January 06 at 3:23 p.m.
You are right “Broken” the actions of this man are the issue not the Church.
People can really be cameleons it’s hard to see through the act sometimes.
Auggurt on January 06 at 4:02 p.m.
He was asked to leave leadership in the beginning of 2008 because of his behavior and he hasn’t even attended the church since november of 2008. It is church members that are holding him responsible for what he’s done.
TekShepherd on January 07 at 8:25 a.m.
Folks. 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 ( I’m an attendee and volunteer- )
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_web_site
God Bless-
Tekshep
Axe on January 07 at 8:27 a.m.
Practicing to join the Priesthood?
TekShepherd on January 07 at 9:18 a.m.
Nope. Just pointing out factual based info. I don’t believe in priesthood.
Check the link if you’ve concerns….