Pastor, Two Other Church Members Arrested For Sexually Abusing Children Going Back 30 Years

Three men, one who is a pastor, have been accused of abusing children since the 1980s.

On Wednesday, a search warrant was executed at the Body of Christ Church, in Jacksonville, Florida, during church services.

An arrest warrant was also executed for Pastor Paul Dyal, 78, at the church. He has been charged with capital sexual battery of a person 11 years old or younger.

Police also executed arrest warrants for Jerome Teschendorf, 68 and Vernon Williamson, 85, from Oklahoma. They are facing capital sexual battery charges, as well.

In September 2020, authorities received an alert that sexual abuse may be occurring at the church. During their investigation, they found children had been abused sexually, at the church, for over 30 years.

Several victims stated that one or all three of the men had abused them as children in the 1980s.

One victim, who is now 50, reported that she had been abused from five to 14. Another said she had been abused at 7.

Detectives believe that there may be more victims.