An Alabama youth minister named Terry Lewayne Murphree, aged 39, has been arrested and charged with 17 crimes, including first-degree rape and attempted sodomy. It is alleged that he threatened to harm himself and his ex-wife after the 13-year-old girl he is accused of raping declined his request for explicit photos.
Law&Crime has reviewed jail and court records Murphree, a resident of Blountsville, has been accused of committing multiple acts of sexual assault against the teenager.
The individual in question is currently facing multiple charges, which include engaging in sexual activity with a minor as a member of the clergy, human trafficking, soliciting a child online, traveling with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, and committing sexual abuse.
The church where Murphree worked as a youth minister was not mentioned in court records, and despite multiple requests to identify the church, Law&Crime was unable to confirm its name on Thursday.
No attorney was listed for Murphree in the court records. Blount County District Attorneys Pamela Casey and Scott Gilliland are prosecuting him.
Based on a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, prosecutors allege that Murphree initiated the assault on the teenager in late March and that it persisted until mid-June. According to the police, Murphree has been accused of committing multiple acts of rape or sexual assault, with the minimum number being seven and the maximum being 15.
According to the records, the human trafficking charge is linked to an accusation that Murphree made threats to harm himself and his wife unless the 13-year-old victim sent him explicit photos and videos.
According to AL.com, his wife filed for divorce last month.
There were reported incidents of assault that took place both at the church and at the girl’s residence.
According to prosecutors, the youth minister utilized Snapchat as a means of communication with the victim. According to the police, this was the method they used to schedule meetings.
Georgia Man Slaughtered Roommate; Judge gave Life Imprisonment to Killer after Trial