JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A pastor associated with a Northside church received a life sentence in prison on sexual battery charges Wednesday.
Vernon Williamson, 87, was one of three pastors associated with Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ on Old Kings Road who were charged with sex crimes in 2022.
The raid was the result of a long-term investigation that started with a tip regarding possible sexual abuse in September 2020. The investigation uncovered sexual and physical abuse of minors in the church that spanned over a period of over thirty years, roughly from 1976-2001, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Pastor Paul Dyal was jailed on charges of capital sexual battery on a child under 12. Williamson and Jerome Teschendorf, were later arrested in Oklahoma, both on charges of capital sexual battery. Dyal and Teschendorf both have a hearing on May 6.
Sources told First Coast News in 2022 that there are multiple alleged victims who say they were abused by one or all three of the men as children in incidents dating back to the 1980s. One woman claimed she was abused from the ages of five to 14. Another woman alleged she was seven when she was sexually battered.
Victims compared the church to a cult and told stories of 'public humiliation' events at the church for adults and children.
A JSO warrant saidthat investigators discovered that on June 11, 2019, the law firm of Cohen, Milstein, Sellers, and Toll, sent a demand letter to the church and to Dyal. The letter was on behalf of numerous victims who alleged sexual, physical and emotional abuse within the church when they were minor children, the warrant states. The law firm received no response from the church.
Police said in 2022 there may be additional victims and witnesses. They ask anyone with information to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.