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Ex-Abilene pastor, Christian musician Jeff Berry arrested on child sex crime


Jeff Berry (Williamson County Jail)
Jeff Berry (Williamson County Jail)
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Jeff Berry -- best known in Abilene as the worship leader in the late 90's at Grace Bible Study, a non-denominational bible-study for college students -- was arrested on a child sex crime.

Berry -- who now lives in Franklin, Tennessee -- was arrested around 4:30 p.m. by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office on a sealed indictment out of Taylor County.

He's charged with being a fugitive from justice.

Berry's bond was set at $10 million.

He's also being detained in the Williamson County Jail (TN) on a hold out of Texas for indecency with a child by contact.

Berry, 55, is accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in 1996.

At the time, Berry was working at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church and leading worship for various church camps.

Pioneer Drive Baptist Church is also where fugitive ex-day care worker Jeffrey Forrest, 47, who is wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child, used to be employed.

In a divorce affidavit obtained by KTXS, the young man, who is now 35, said the abuse by Berry started when he was in middle school.

"He turned out all of the lights and had candles instead; he had us both lie on the floor next to each other in the dark to watch a movie," said the victim.

The allegations include touching and spooning after Berry took the young man's shirt off.

"It was all very uncomfortable and scary to me, and the next thing I remember, I was in his car and he was taking me home," the victim said.

The alleged sexual abuse was not reported until October 2018.

"I was ashamed and embarrassed about what had happened," said the victim.

In the document, the victim said he did not even tell his parents what happened and at times thought it was his fault.

Years later, while counseling another kid who was molested by another suspect, the victim told his aunt what Berry had done to him.

"I blurted out that was me and then my aunt helped me address the issue," the victim said.

A second victim said Berry abused him in the same setting -- a candlelight room with music playing in the background.

At the time of the alleged crime, Berry was hired by First Baptist Church of Abilene to lead worship for a summer camp.

Berry and the second victim -- who was in high school -- became friends and hung out together.

One night at Berry's home, Berry started massaging the second victim's shoulders.

"Berry then took his shirt off and asked me to take off mine or took mine off himself, and then he put me on top of him, kissing, caressing and fondling me," said the second victim.

The alleged sexual abuse went on for 15-20 minutes.

Berry worked for several churches throughout Texas and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he managed several Christian musicians.

He's expected to appear in court on Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.

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