Former music minister charged with sex crimes

JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) - A Clinton associate music minister is charged with eight counts of sexual gratification of lust.

Forty-nine-year-old John Langworthy was arrested Wednesday morning at his residence in Clinton. His bond was set at $200,000.

According to the Hinds County District Attorney five young boys involved in this investigation are from the Jackson-Clinton area.

All were between the ages of 8 and 12 years old in the 1980s when the alleged fondling occurred. Langworthy was a student at Mississippi College at the time. Two children were allegedly taken to a dorm room.

Langworthy stunned the congregation of Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton in August telling church members that 22 years ago he had inappropriate contact with teenage boys in Texas and Mississippi.

The District Attorney said Wednesday, that's when victims came forward.

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

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