Three Men, Including Former Pastor, Face Charges for Long-term Sexual and Physical Abuse of Minors in Church

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Disclaimer: Some may find the details included in this story to be graphic in nature. Discretion is advised.

Three men who face charges of sexual battery in what the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said was an investigation into “long-term sexual and physical abuse of minors” in a church are scheduled to appear before a judge this month.

Paul Dyal was a pastor of the Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ on Old Kings Road North. He was arrested on a charge of capital sexual battery during a coordinated raid on the church in March.

While investigators were making the arrest, additional warrants were being served in Oklahoma. The Sheriff’s Office said Jerome Teschendorf, who was arrested in Newalla, Oklahoma, and Vernon Williamson, who was arrested in Ardmore, Oklahoma, were also arrested and charged with capital sexual battery.

The state wants to keep Teschendorf behind bars before his pretrial hearing. A motion filed in July says it’s necessary because of his two capital sexual battery charges, his ability and means to leave the state, and because a now redacted court record indicates he made a confession to investigators.

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Source: News4Jax