John Martin
FLORENCE-On Friday, June 28 the lead pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Florence, John Martin was taken into custody and charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse. According to Assistant District Attorney Angie Hamilton the charges were abuse involving a minor.
The charges stem from an incident that took place on June 23. Assistant DA Hamilton says Martin resigned his position where he had been pastor for nearly nine years during the services on Sunday morning, June 23 and made some admissions during his resignation.
Martin was taken to the Lauderdale Detention Center with bail set at $60,000 as of this writing Martin is still in the detention center. Hamilton states that if Martin does make his bond he will be fitted with an ankle monitor and will not be able to have contact with children or any victim associated with the charges against him.
This case remains under investigation and the District Attorney’s Office are looking into any additional charges. Hamilton asks anyone with any information to contact the district attorney’s office t 256.764.6351, One Place of the Shoals at 256.284.7600, or the Lauderdale County Department of Human Resources at 256.765.4000.
