North Carolina, Charlotte – The arrest of a sex offender on new charges related to child abuse has shocked members of Camino Church, where the suspect served as Associate Pastor.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) arrested Robert “Bobby” Price, 56, on the morning of Friday, August 4. Associate Pastor Faces New Charges for sexual abuse committed against three boys aged 9 to 15 between 2001 and 2011.
Many of the members of Camino Church are Latinos, so Captain Claudio Jiménez translated the information during a press conference at the CMPD headquarters.
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Pastor who occasionally preached
His brother, Rusty Price, who is Camino's Senior Pastor and a recognized community leader in Charlotte, said Robert Price sometimes welcomed and spoke to at least 500 members of his congregation at the beginning of each Sunday's church service.
Robert Price, the Associate Pastor, preached to Church members only occasionally.
“This is a tragedy, this is a sad day. Sunday is approaching. “That is going to be a difficult day,” said the Pastor in a press conference at the Camino Church facilities.
Although he was known as “Pastor Bobby,” Robert Price had a managerial role that kept him away from children, Rusty Price said.
The episodes of abuse committed by Robert Price occurred when he worked as Pastor at the “Kings Way Baptist” church in Concord, according to CMPD.
There is the possibility of more victims
Rusty Price said the call about his brother was surprising, and he was concerned that the charges might be related to more recent incidents, because he would have felt responsible.
Capt. Jim Wright said there is a possibility there could be more victims of abuse.
“We want survivors to feel like they have the information to feel empowered to come forward and report any crime without worrying about repercussions,” Wright said.
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The Shepherdhas investigated since 2022
Police said they began investigating Pastor Price after one of the abuse victims came forward to report last year.
They discovered that he sexually abused three children, touching them inappropriately at his home, in his car, on the way to church, and at Kings Way Baptist Church; As a result of the complaints, the church closed its doors.
2014 charges landed him in prison
After pleading guilty and serving a 16-month prison sentence on charges raised in 2014, Pastor Price now faces 13 additional charges of indecent liberties against a child and also one charge of statutory sexual offence.
Pastor of the Church despite its history
Wright said Camino Church hired Price as Associate Pastor; even though he is listed on the North Carolina sex offender registry.
“While sex offenders are not allowed to work in schools or daycares in North Carolina, there are no laws prohibiting them from attending church,” he noted.
Where to report
The CMPD said: “any victim of Associate Pastor Robert Price or anyone who has a tip about a case involving him can call toll-free: 704-336-7495 and ask for Detective Carey.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling: 704-334-1600 or visiting: http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
Any information, report and to find help resources to combat child sexual abuse in the United States 1-800-4-A-CHILD (National Child Abuse Hotline)
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