Church Stands by Baptist Youth Pastor Accused of Molesting Minor
A youth pastor at Lakeridge Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas, will stand trial next month for sexually assaulting a minor.
Blaine Miller was arrested for the sexual assault of a child younger than 17 that occurred in Kirbyville, Texas, in 2004. He was indicted on the charge in May 2005.
Lakeridge Senior Pastor Merle Fulmer says he believes Miller is innocent, according to KAMC28 local news.
"Nothing in his character would make me suspicious," said Fulmer, who has reportedly known about the arrest for some time.
Parents at Lakeridge Baptist only recently knew of Miller's arrest and Fulmer says they are okay with it.
"We are comfortable with it, and have been all along" he said, according to the local news agency.
Fulmer says he's positive his youth pastor will come out clean and is keeping Miller on staff pending the trial outcome.
Lakeridge Baptist is a church of the Baptist Missionary Association of America.