WLBT.com - Jackson, MSFormer music minister charged with sex crimes

Former music minister charged with sex crimes

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JACKSON, MS (WLBT) -

A Clinton associate music minister remains behind bars tonight. 49 year old John Langworthy is charged with 8 counts of sexual gratification of lust. Langworthy was arrested Wednesday  morning at his residence in Clinton and remains behind bars. He faces two charges in that city. His bond was set at 200-thousand dollars.

 Jackson police slapped him with six more counts of fondling children. He could face a bond hearing Friday. According to the Hinds County District Attorney 5 young boys involved in this investigation are from the Jackson-Clinton area. All were between the ages of 8 and 12 years old when the alleged fondling occurred. The crimes took place in the 1980's. Langworthy was a student at Mississippi College at that time. Two children were allegedly taken to a dorm room.

Langworthy stunned the congregation of Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton back in August. Telling church members that 22 years ago he had inappropriate contact with teenage boys in Texas and Mississippi. The District Attorney told us Wednesday, that's when victims came forward. "I believe the admission prompted other victims to come forward. Admission is provably one of the strongest pieces of evidence a prosecutor can have."

No charges were ever filed Texas. Authorities tell us Langworthy befriended parents, even stayed in their homes and babysat for the young boys back in the 80's. After his arrest this morning in Clinton, he asked for a lawyer.

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