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Pastor faces 152 counts
Charges include torture, sodomy of boys
Published Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The former pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship is now facing charges on 152 “atrocious acts” stemming from allegations he sexually abused and tortured young boys while on camping trips.
At a press conference Tuesday, Covington County Sheriff Dennis Meeks and the case’s lead investigator Wesley Snodgrass revealed the current scope of the case against 54-year-old Ralph Lee Aaron.
The investigation began last Tuesday after a mother, who had heard rumors of a previous incident involving Aaron, had a “straightforward” conversation with her son. That incident stemmed from a 2005 complaint that occurred while Aaron was serving at Andalusia’s Victory Baptist Church. No charges were filed in the 2005 complaint, which was investigated by the Covington County District Attorney’s office and the Department of Human Resources.
As a result of that conversation, the mother determined her son may have had inappropriate contact with Aaron, and she elected to contact authorities.
“Surprisingly, (the victim) was open and honest, and they discussed it at length before contacting law enforcement,” Snodgrass said. “It was quickly identified as a substantial case.”
When officers arrived at Aaron’s home Tuesday night, they seized numerous items of computer equipment and camera equipment. Snodgrass said they found more than 100 pornographic images Aaron allegedly downloaded from the Internet as well as some images taken of his alleged local victims.
As the investigation continued, it was determined the majority of Aaron’s alleged victims ranged in age from 8 to 12 and were all male. No specific number of victims was released, as the investigation is still ongoing.
Snodgrass said the alleged abuse occurred when Aaron, while acting in his capacity as pastor, took the boys on camping trips to local areas. It is not believed any of these incidents occurred at the church, Snodgrass said.
“We also have some evidence that shows other abuse occurred at Aaron’s residence,” he said.
However, there is no evidence that shows Aaron’s family had any knowledge of his actions, he said.
“From all accounts, Mr. Aaron was believed to be a decent man, but he obviously had a secret life,” he said. “He was able to do (these acts) because he befriended (the parents), the children and the church family. That’s how he got into their lives.”
Aaron is now charged with the following:
• 38 counts of production of obscene matter containing visual depiction of a person under 17 involved in obscene acts.
• three counts of dissemination of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 involved in obscene acts.
• 97 counts of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 involved in obscene acts.
• three counts of sexual torture.
• three counts of first-degree sodomy.
• eight counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12.
He is currently being held in the Covington County Jail, where he is separated from the general population “for his own safety,” Snodgrass said. His bond is set at $24.2 million.
Aaron could face additional charges as the case continues, Snodgrass said.
“I would say that Mr. Aaron has not been fully cooperative throughout this investigation and, in my opinion, seems completely and entirely unremorseful,” Snodgrass said. “Right now, he’s more concerned about his current situation than he is with anything else or our victims.”
Comments
Posted by aushaus (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
life sentence or death sentence please?
Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 6:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Put him in general population. That would surely save a lot of our taxpayers money! The fact that he's unremorseful, in my opinion, proves his guilt! And he's been in this area since 2005! My goodness, there are no telling HOW MANY victims have fallen prey to this hideous creature. He's not a man, he's a monster! I sympathize with his wife, but I'm not entirely convinced that she couldn't have known something out of the ordinary, she's been married to him for 32 years. I'm sure she could tell a difference when he had these encounter versus when he didn't.
This is just horrible for these young boys as well as their families, and I hope and pray that every last one will come forward, as embarrassing as it may be for them, they have to start the healing process somewhere, and that's a burden they can't carry on their shoulders forever.
I think he should be put in general population, why should he be treated any differently that any other inmate, is essence he is a murderer, a thief and a coward. He killed these young boys souls, he stole their futures and he hides behind his wife!
Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I too believe their had to be some clue. What of his own children, did he abuse them too? Didn't they get on the family computer? I checked behind my kids and grandkids to see what they are viewing. Doesn't completely make since.
Posted by voiceofreason (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is only what we know of in our area. The man has been posing as a "pastor" for a long time. I know that he came to this area from Samson. Wonder what the investigation will uncover there???
Victory Baptist basically split when they fired this monster. The people still there are sincere about their faith and passionate in their walk. I'm pained to see their good name associated with this mess.
Posted by canon09 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May God have mercy on his soul! He was suppose to be leading people to Christ! He has plenty to answer for when he meets his maker. Prisoners do not like child molesters. He won't last long in prison.
Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No one is to blame but this sick individual. PUT HIM IN GENERAL POPULATION!!!!!!!! To think he is not remorseful makes me sick. But if he acted remorseful I would be suspious of that, I would think it was not really felt. The law enforcement need to check the towns he lived in before coming to Andalusia. I feel sorry for his family and especially his children.
Posted by lawsuit (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yes inneedtobeheard,,,2005!!! but look who was behind the investigation, da who? gambril? or merrill, but dhr usuallly ol'julie knight,the one filing the complaint must have not been in the click,till now but if i was the parents i would sue there ass off they are the reason he did this if they would have done a good" job" then he would have already been behind bars well maybe,,,
Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe that he would not be placed in general population. Protection for him?! For what? Who was protecting those poor little children we he was engaging them in his perversions?
If they had no protection from evil why should he? Put his butt out there with those men, some I'm sure have been molested themselves, and let him fend for himself. Oh yeah, tell him to keep it a secret, too.
Since he is not remorseful he thinks what he did was okay. That means, given the chance, he would do it gain. Slimeball needs to pay.
Posted by ToldYouSo (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe it is wrong that we expect other prisoners to enforce "right" and "morality" on these fiends. And maybe we should concentrate on the warning of our youth as most suggest. (In my opinion, it is morally wrong to place this burden on our children while we sherk our responsibility! They should be allowed to be innocent children) These are not the ultimate answers. We must RETURN to sanity and the ONLY answer is to (legally)DESTROY the perps as swiftly as the "needle" or Yellow Mama" can be reloaded! This not only destroys the weirdo but sends a stong message to the next one who's tempted. Be wary of those who absurdly think that "warning the children" is the answer. Demand public officials take strong action and where the laws may be lax...CHANGE THOSE LAWS!
Posted by loving_god_guns_and_guts (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let him spend enough time in the general population to understand what being a victom of sexual abuse really means....then fry his a** in the electric chair. All I can say is he is real lucky it wasnt my son or he wouldnt have to worry about a court trial.
Posted by bamagirl07 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I haven't posted a comment yet on this story until now because, honestly, I have not known what to even say. But now I have PLENTY to say! I am absolutely disgusted at this piece of trash! How could a man of GOD use his power to earn the faith and trust of these children and their parents and then sexually abuse them?! I feel so badly for these boys! Not that I think he could get out on a $24 million bond, but WHAT are they thinking?! There should not even be a bond! I can tell you all this, had this been MY son, I would be the one sitting there in jail because I would kill him! That is no joke! I would choke him with my bare hands if I had too! AFTER I pulled a Lorena Bobbit, of course! This man is a disgrace to human nature!
And GodsWordWillSaveYou, before you start lecturing on "how we need to forgive and not judge", let me say this... I know the Lord wants us to be good christians and FORGIVE. But I am not there yet! There are better christians than me because this is a man who used his power to corrupt these young boys! And I just can't seem to forgive someone like that!
I do feel sympathy for his wife though. Some of you think she may have known, but I have read so many stories where people live double lives and their families knew nothing about it. I mean, look at the BTK killer. His wife never had a clue what he was doing and he never did anything to his own children. It can happen. It just shows you how sick and twisted some people are!
This man deserves the death penalty! He doesn't deserve life in prison. Although, then again, he would have all this time to think about what he did to these boys, but he isn't worth our taxdollars!
Posted by kathystephens (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This creature is the worst kind. He done this under the name of GOD. I believe there is a special session for this beast. Pray for the all the victims.
Posted by Blondie (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gee People!! Dont go blamming the local officials for any of this.. in time we will find out if someone came forward since 2005 and filed a complaint, it will all come out when the case goes to court!
Why blame these people? blame this sicko! he is the one that did it, it is all his fault! NO PLEA BARGINS FOR HIM, NONE!! The only thing that I can say about the officials is, dont take a trade off for a lesser sentence!! Dont make a deal with him, stick it to him!! No insanity pleas.... most of the ones that do crimes, use the insanity plea, when they knew good and well what they did!! Make this SOB suffer as those kids did, why candy coat it for him!! I hope he finds a good room mate, Maybe "Bubba" will teach him a lesson!!
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What pisses me off there is people out there who think lowlifes like this can be rehabilitated.I say hell no!Why even take a chance,I mean its not worth it.When someone sexually abuses a child and is found guilty,that person should executed. This should be common sense.
Posted by rkm7878 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This sick man was the leader of an awana program at FBC Samson where there were over 80 active kids. I hope the check with those families.
Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lookeyhere: I agree with you 100%. If he's guilty I don't think one more dollar of our taxes should be wasted to feed or house him. Execution should be swift, but unless someone kills him in prison or he kills himself out of shame, our tax dollars will be wasted to keep him alive for years to come.
Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ToldYouSo: I agree with just about everything you said, but I don't understand why you think it is absurd to warn our children about these kind of evil people. We always taught our children to always come and tell us if anyone ever tried to touch them in a way that wasn't right or harm them in any way. I just don't see the absurdity in that.
Posted by loving_god_guns_and_guts (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He is certainly lucky it wasnt my child. I have a shotgun that says he would never hurt another one. statisticly these freaks get out and do it again. Doesnt everyone agree that the lord would rather protect our children than the low life that abused them? I was also sexulally abused in a chuch as a child. I say keep the bible but pop a cap in his a**. Be sure to ask forgiveness when you are done. I dont blame the lord or my parents...they didnt know. He told me my parents would think I was a bad girl and they wouldnt love me anymore. I am now in my 30s and have just told my parents and have been able to talk about it in the past few years.Not only has this haunted me my whole life but what this man could still be doing breaks my heart. I was so young and the image of this mans face i just cant see. I can see his shoes and clothing and I remember him putting me in a closet and making me cover my face with my dress when it happened. I dont go to church because it is hard for me to trust, but i trust the lord. I go to the woods or by myself to pray. In my opinion all of you are right. I no longer live in alabama but it will always be my home because of people like you. We care and we wont let these people get away with it
Posted by AUtiger06 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DON'T put him in general population! KEEP HIM SAFE! Allow him the chance to endure the PUBLIC humiliation that he rightfully deserves by standing trial and airing his shameful acts. Allow him to see his name turn to dirt and his horrible acts be brought to the public eye. Allow him to feel the shame and embarrassment that's surely coming. He'll be killed if he's left alone in general population, which would never compare to the pain that he'll feel with a public trial! He will be punished. He'll never walk away from this. Don't take justice away from his victims by robbing them of the trial and prosecution they fully deserve.
Posted by Yankeegirl (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tie a firecracker and a gun to his manly parts and let him choose what one is going to blow it off.
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
loving_god_guns_and_guts it sounds like you went through very hard times.I just wish I was there I would have kicked his AS$.
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lookeyhere: this is the first time in my life, I just don't know what to say. I am so hurt and I don't even know any of these people. I know when the hurt subsides anger will take over , especially if
by chance, I know one of the children personally. Pray for the Children and lets try not to send our own Souls to Hell for this Demon. There is no doubt in my mind this man and who ever else was his accomplice will go to Hell; here in this life and in the hereafter. SO BE IT !!!
Posted by ToldYouSo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rgodwin; I did not mean to say warning the children is absurd, I simply meant that is not the ultimate answer but only a "stockgap" measure until we destroy the perps. It is an unfair burden to expect little children to protect themselves (and besides it doesn't work in many, many cases...witness this current situation.) The death penalty, swiftly, applied IS THE ANSWER.
Posted by Lehn (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this man going to receive a trial? I believe in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Unless I am mistaken, so far the evidence is hearsay and possibly that someone in his household looks at smut on the internet. I don't think he should be shot, hung, castrated, etc., before he has a trial. Furthermore, from the tenor of these comments, I don't see how he could get a fair trial here in Andalusia.
Posted by loving_god_guns_and_guts (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lookeyhere,thank you.
Posted by wikked (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lehn, are you serious?I dont think there is any doubt he did it...i dont believe in coincidents, and he does have a history.Go ahead and presume he is innocent, but let him go to general pop like everyone else.Let him get sodomized for a change.In the future parents, before letting your children go on these outings get together and pick some parents to go along as chaperones.This should be a good safeguard.NEVER trust anyone blindly...
Posted by lulubell (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why even let this monster have a bond? I know he supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, oh well, I still let the fathers of these children take care of him. Jail is too good for him!!!
Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ToldYouSo: I certainly agree with the quick death penalty, He deserves to die a slow and painful death and I don't mean years from now is some prison. Staked to a big red ant hill would be just fine.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lehn: be careful! You say hearsay? Someone in his household looks at smut?
Hello! You haven't been playing 'let's make a trade videos' with this guy have you?
The investigation will find everyone, God willing.
Posted by AUtiger06 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lehn, I think it's very peculiar that you refer to child pornography as "smut." You make it seem very insignificant. It isn't. Child porn infringes upon the rights of children. You're worried about this man receiving a fair trial. For someone so concerned with justice for an alleged pedophile, it's very strange that you don't seem at all concerned with the rights of his alleged victims. Your position puzzles me and concerns me greatly.
And I have a great amount of confidence in the trial he will receive.
Posted by Bonnie2009 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When i heard about this monday night i was absolutley shocked.Im from samson and this man was my pastor for 6 years.I honestly never suspected anything.He was always nice,outgoing and funny.Everyone loved him and his wife and thought he was the perfect preacher.I would never have thought he was the type.As for his poor wife knowing something my ex husband turned out to be having sex with 13 year olds while i was at home with our kids.I had no idea until the day he was arrested and confessed.From the time i was 8 until i was around 13 or 14 several of us from church went to sleep away camp with him chaperoning or to events at his house.And then he was mysteriously fired.One Sunday he was there and the next Sunday the deacons has ousted him.Im just glad some kid had the courage to come forward.Everyone in our church especially kids and parents trusted and loved this man so i can imagine how these other people were fooled by him also!
Posted by mommy_of_2 (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story has really come to no surprise to me as I had some serious questions concerning the behavior of this man back in 2005. I lived on the same street as Victory and for quite a while I saw this man daily bring various children to the church at all times of the day. The part that used to concern me was that he was always arriving with one child and he and the child would go in the church alone and stay for hours. I am remember telling my Fiancee and sister that there was something not right there. They probably would have thought I was crazy except they started noticing it too. I know that you cannot really have someone investigated because of "gut" feeling but I now wish I would have because I knew then that there was something not quite right there. I am not really sure if the wife knew or not but I can say that all the days that he arrived with a young boy that I saw she was never there. I can say that if he has anything to be thankful for it is the fact that my son never went over there despite the several times that this man came and wanted him to go to church there. I just never could feel comfortable sending him there and now I know why. I say he should be thankful as I don't know how forgiving I could be if he hurt my child.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mommy of 2: you are a wise and good mother for believing your instincts. Let mothers trust their intuition and not push them aside. They're right-on, 99% of the time.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope someone from law enforcement is reading these comments, especially Lehn Oct.29th 9:25 a.m.
Posted by dixiegirl (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If, Lehn, you are concerned that he is innocent until proven guilty, why not agree that he belongs in general population. Why should he get any special treatment? As for his guilt, that many people can't be wrong. I, for one, think you should reread the evidence the state has against this man and look into his past. There is a lot more than viewing "smut" on the internet!~ Furthermore, I consider adult porn "smut" and child porn "SICK" Anyone who gets their kicks watching children being sexually abused deserves whatever happens to them in prison. When the fine pastor gets to state, I'm sure he will get a first hand lesson on how those poor boys felt. Even murderers despise child molestors! Personally, I am not worried about my tax dollars. Let him stay in general population in state prison for a few years and then, if he doesn't kill himself or get killed, put him down like the rabid animal he is! As for a fair trial, I'm sure he will get as far a trial as anyone gets in Covington County. I just hope our "illustrious" DA, Mr. Gambrill, doesn't plea bargain him home. It seems like the only ones Greg Gambrill wants to thow the book at is those he has a personal dislike for. Drug dealers get a "revolving door" so he can have them arrested again and make himself look good. He doesn't give a damn about justice. He just likes to see his picture in the paper! Oh yeah, high profile case, election coming up, he'll probably get the job done for his own benefit, not for justice for those poor children! Fair trial, really, Lehn, where do YOU live.
Posted by Lehn (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He may be guilty as sin, but he still deserves a fair trial no matter what he is accused of. Accused of does not equate to guilty of. It must be proven. That is the linchpin of our judicial system.
Once he has been found guilty, then I hope he receives the maximum sentence for this awful crime. However, until he is found guilty, he is presumed to be innocent. That is the American way, like it or not.
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its the'WILD, WILD WEST.' GGG. LOL.
Posted by dixiegirl (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are many people in Covington Co. jail who are kept in general population, guilty or not. Many spend a year or more awaiting their "speedy, fair trial" I don't believe this man deserves special treatment because he is accused of an especially disgusting crime. The issue started out being whether or not he should be kept in "protective custody" instead of general population. As for a fair trial in Andalusia, not many accused receive one so I don't think he should be any different there either. There is no sense of balance in Covington Co. Hopefully, the next election will put some "JUSTICE" back in the justice system. Maybe then, more than just a chosen few will receive that fair trial that is the "American way" as you put it. Either way, we will all get a "fair trial" in the end. God knows whos right.
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