East Tennessee youth-minister couple accused of sex with kids
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Updated: 7:45 AM Aug 13, 2008
East Tennessee youth-minister couple accused of sex with kids
A Maryville church has closed it's doors indefinitely after a married couple, who are youth ministers at the church, are charged with sex crimes.
Posted: 6:12 PM Aug 12, 2008
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Maryville (WVLT) - It's a crime you hate to hear about. Your children violated at church where they're supposed to be the safest.

Two married youth leaders are accused of raping teenage girls. Police tell us there could be even more victims.

A sign on the door of the Lord's Disciples Church on Old Knoxville Highway in Maryville tells visitors all services and activities are canceled until further notice. This after two of their youth ministers are charged with eight counts of sexual battery and rape with 15 year old girls.

"It's even more disturbing cause it's right here at home," Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp said.

Chief crisp says last tuesday, three teens, their parents and a youth pastor came to police alleging sexual misconduct by church youth leaders Michael and Laura Salazar, both 35 years old, of Wrights Road in Louisville. After extensive interviews, police say four teens claim they allegedly took part in sex acts with the Salazars dating back to September 2007.

"When these types of crimes happen against children they're reluctant to talk about it," Crisp said. "We're proud of the courage they've presented and come forward and talked."

We briefly spoke to the pastor today outside the church. He says they're not trying to hide anything, they're just trying to figure out what's going on, but in the meantime services are canceled and police believe there may be more victims out there.

"We feel strongly about the evidence and anticipate there will be additional charges," Crisp said.

In the meantime, the Salazars are behind bars at Blount County jail.

The Salazars are set to appear in Blount County Sessions Court Friday at 9 a.m.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Maryville church has closed it's doors indefinitely after a married couple, who are youth ministers at the church, are charged with sex crimes.

Michael Salazar, 35, is charged with three counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, and three counts of statutory rape by an authority figure.

Laura Lee Click Salazar, 35, is charged with one count of sexual battery by an authority figure, and one count of statutory rape by an authority figure.

Maryville Police Cheif Tony Crisp says this investigation began on Aug. 15 when three teen girls, their parents, and their youth pastor, accused the Salazar's of sexual misconduct.

That's when officials conducted an official investigation interviewing four teenage girls who say the Salazars took part in individual sex acts beginning in September 2007.

At the church, there is a note on the door saying they're closed until further notice.

Pastor Keith Briefly says his church is very hurt by this event.

Police Chief Crisp says the case is under investigation.

Chief Crisp says there may be more victims, and he is asking for them to come forward.

"Certainly it is sickening and troubling that this is going on anywhere, and especially in our neighborhood. it's even more disturbing, right here at home, but we've done a very diligent investigation."

Michael Salazar's bond is set for $300,000, Laura Lee Click Salazar's bond is set for $100,000.


Latest Comments

Posted by: yuck Location: maryville on Sep 10, 2008 at 12:19 AM

see what kills me is that i have met these people they have bought there youth to my church to perform i shook that couples hands and hugged them and thanked them for being such a wonderful christian couple and making such a difference in childrens life.. but to find out oh yeah there making a difference but deffinately not a christian difference.... its a sick situation
Posted by: wow Location: blount on Aug 18, 2008 at 02:47 PM

Guess Who.... Gee It sucks to be you... I have never looked at a child rapist as a beautiful person... You may need to see an Optometrist..
Posted by: guess who Location: maryville on Aug 17, 2008 at 09:01 AM

first off let me say this. these pictures are so bad because they had been interigated for days with now rest.and the media doesn't bother to say that there were many many other teenagers interviewed who said that this is crazy. and they had spent as much time with the salazars as these 6 girls. who by the way are known liars and,who some have wrongfully accused others of rape in the past.out of nearly 100 children, these are the only ones who said this.as far as these people go. if anything were going on someone would have known something.. i go there and see these girls every week. and they are just a click of best friends who are lieing thru their teeth. as for the salazars looks, they are both beautiful people inside and out. remember the salem witch hunts people. how one girl started it all.and her friends followed suit. use your heads here.think!don't be so quick to judge.if it were you, would you want everyone looking at your mug shot and deciding your guilt?