A South Carolina minister who faced public opposition for allowing a registered sex offender to attend his church services has himself engaged in criminal sexual activity, authorities say.
Tracy Gordon Black, 64, faces six charges, according to court records. He faces four counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, plus one each of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of visual depiction or representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.
“These charges are based on investigation that yielded probable cause that Black had committed sexual assaults against a juvenile victim as well as having possessed child pornography,” Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Graham McLellan emailed Roys Report (RR). “There could be more charges to come.”
Department officials arrested Black Oct. 27. RR asked McLellan about Black’s connection to the victim and whether his office thinks Black may have abused others. McLellan did not immediately respond.
Black pastors a ministry operating under several names. These include Mobile Outreach Ministry, Mercy Outreach Ministry and Sabbath in the Park, according to WSPA-TV Ch. 7, a Spartanburg affiliate of The CW Network.Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report, and you can elect to receive our featured offer, “When Shepherds Prey: Confronting Abuse in Church Leadership—A Call for Reformation” by Ron Cantor. – click here.
Williamston’s mayor closed Mineral Spring Park in April after learning of protests over a registered sex offender attending services there. (Photo courtesy of Williamston Police Department)
The ministry held weekly services in Mineral Spring Park in Williamston, a town approximately 20 miles southwest of Greenville. In April, social media posts alerted town officials that a registered sex offender was regularly participating in the services.
Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess ordered the park to close in April after learning of threats and planned protests against the sex offender, WSPA reported. He also required the ministry to apply for a permit to hold future events at the park.
The town denied the permit. Black appealed the decision at a July 6 town council meeting.
“There’s no kid/predator thing going on—that is so far from the truth,” Black told the council, as reported by WSPA. “We’re trying to offer the love Jesus Christ offered, the hope that only he can do.”
In an Oct. 27 social media post, Burgess said his decision to close the park “brought its fair share of criticism,” but he believes it was the right move.
“These charges don’t establish that my earlier decision was correct, but they are a reminder of why concerns involving the safety of children deserve our full attention,” Burgess wrote. “I’d rather spend a week defending a decision made out of concern for public safety than spend a lifetime regretting one I was afraid to make.”
The mayor said he is praying for any victims and their families, and that if the allegations against Black are true, then “swift justice is served.”
Ann Marie Shambaugh has reported as a print journalist in multiple states, including currently in Carmel, Indiana.
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