Church Choir Director Arrested For Alleged Rape Of Girl, 16
MURRIETA (CBS) — A Murrieta church choir director, who is on probation for sex with a minor, was arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl at his home, Murrieta police said.
Joseph Jermaine Spencer, 26, of Murrieta, turned himself into police in San Bernardino County on Thursday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Murrieta Police Sgt. Julie Hoxmeier said.
Hoxmeier said the victim, a 16-year-old girl from Temecula, reported the rape to police on Monday. She told authorities that she had been raped earlier in the day at Spencer's home in the 33000 block of Mapleton Avenue in Murrieta.
"The victim also revealed another meeting with the suspect at his Murrieta residence weeks earlier where the suspect placed his hands inside the front of the victim's pants for sexual gratification," Hoxmeier said.
Spencer was arrested for rape, sexual penetration with a foreign object, oral copulation and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor over 10 years difference, Hoxmeier said.
He is the assistant pastor and choir director at Mountain View Community Church in Temecula, officials said.
Spencer is on Riverside County probation for sexual intercourse with a minor and other sexual related offenses - with specific conditions that prohibit him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under than age of 18 or frequenting places where minors gather.
Hoxmeier said Spencer's position as the church choir director put him in contact with 40 to 50 female juveniles who are part of the choir. The victim was part a choir member and it was where she first met Spencer.
Authorities asked anyone who knows or may have been a victim of the same suspect to call Detective Matthew Haddad at (951) 696-3615 or the on-duty Watch Commander at (951) 696-3615. Information can also be provided anonymously at 1-800-78-CRIME.
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