The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

State, national, world

January 22, 2013

Charges against ex-megachurch employee stand

TULSA, Okla. — A judge has refused to dismiss charges against a man accused of sending lewd and indecent proposals to a 14-year-old girl he met when he worked as a janitor at a Tulsa megachurch.

Judge William Kellough on Tuesday rejected a defense motion to dismiss charges against former Victory Christian Center employee Israel Castillo.

Castillo has pleaded not guilty. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Defense attorneys say Castillo didn't know the girl was 14. Prosecutors say he met the girl at a church youth camp and knew her age because he had known her for two years.

Castillo faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Another former church employee was sentenced last month to 55 years in prison for raping a 13-year-old girl at the church.

 

Text Only
State, national, world
Featured Ads
AP Video
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God' Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
NDN Video
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom The Hangover Baby All Grown Up Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life The all-new Xbox One RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you Reporter Cries Over Devastation Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Robert Pattinson Moves Out RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air