East Tennessee youth-minister couple accused of sex with kids
East Tennessee youth-minister couple accused of sex with kids Save Email Print
Posted: 6:12 PM Aug 12, 2008
Last Updated: 7:45 AM Aug 13, 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.

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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?

Posted by: Lisa on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:13 AM
I am glad these children have the strength to come forward. Maybe now they can get there healing and live a good life. As for these people that did this to them, I hope they regret it and I hope they realize the impact the have made on these children's lives. I hope and pray that if they did this (and with so many now coming forward I have to believe something happened) they are never able to hurt another as long as they live. People need to start fearing God! These are his children we are talking about. And if these people are saved and have turned away from God, they need alot of prayers- I feel sorry for people like that. I just hope every child comes forward so they can put closure to this horrible situation. We all need to be praying hard about everyone involved.

Posted by: Jim Location: Tazewell on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Lets just hope they don't go to hamblin county for trial.They might get off with a slap on the wrist like sheriff david ray.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Blount on Aug 15, 2008 at 06:10 PM
There are 16 victims alleging abuse at this time...

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 05:40 PM
a child is not a grownup until the age of 21

Posted by: Lisa on Aug 15, 2008 at 04:49 PM
It is true that sometimes young people can get mad about something and make things up to hurt them. Young people today are so vengeful and you just never know. I am sure that if the allegations are true there will be some kind of proof other than just the words of two teenagers. Either way, if they made it up or if it is true, it is a bad situation. I hope if it is made up God will deal with their hearts and they tell the truth. I hope if the allegations are true, those people are never able to hurt anyone again. But it is true....we are not there judge- God is.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Everyone keeps saying child but the fact is they are young adults. 15 and 16 yr olds are young adults, not children. children can't drive, but a 16 yr old can. 16 yr olds also know better, so I hope this is investigated, and evidence is found in stead of just what the young adults say.

Posted by: Troubled Location: In Blount on Aug 15, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Hmmm Pastor Keith David Koresh what's the difference he doesn't want any of his congregation to speak to anyone but him. I don't think that is an attempt to only stifle gossip. CHILDREN DO NOT MAKE UP OR LIE ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE..A good heart?? How can you have a good heart when you are putting you are an adult violating the innocence of a child???

Posted by: anne Location: louisville on Aug 15, 2008 at 12:13 PM
I personally know these people and I know they have good hearts. Did it ever occur to anyone these girls may be lying???? And how dare you judge people by their mugshots??? Do you think you would look any better?

Posted by: Lisa on Aug 15, 2008 at 09:51 AM
I think it is suspicious that they would cancel services "until further notice". Maybe they don't want the investigators finding out who goes there and if there are no services the members won't be coming and going for the investigators to see. I think they don't want anything else to be found out, like any other victims from the church. That is what it sounds like to me. If this happened at the church I attend...I believe they would keep having services and come together to move past that trash. I think they know more than they are telling and they don't want it coming out. If they are not hiding nothing, they should be holding services just like before.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Blount County on Aug 14, 2008 at 03:58 PM
It's hard to believe that this/these crimes went on as long as they did without any of the other adult church goers noticing a change in the way the youths were responding to the mere presence of these two pedifiles

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 14, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Why did the girls perform the sexual acts? Did the parents not teach them any better? At least they spoke out about it. better late than never

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Knox on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I believe in going to church,I try not to judge people,but come on people,have some common sense.I would never leave my kids with anyone I did not know,and especially not with people who look like this couple.It is a parents responsibility to watch out for their kids.I feel awful that this happened but it could have been prevented.

Posted by: Christian Soldier Location: Heaven Bound.. on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Churches should not be exempt from background checks. Especially if there are times when children are intrusted into the care of these "youth leaders". Pedifiles prey on youngsters in these territories because trust comes easier within sanctuary of Christ for some reason. They take advantage of their roles just as these 2 did. Often people that commit sex crimes do it for the control and domination not for the sex act itself. Maryville seems to be churning out alot of worship "organizations". One of my favorite I have heard of recently is RIO and how you have to submit a paystub before you can be accepted as a member of the "organization". I believe in tithing but this is ridiculous. Sounds like racketeering to me, which is illegal the last time I checked.. Whatver happened to people just gathering together at the river and singing and praising and really feeling the spirit. It's hard to accept the sex crimes and the money schemes.. Jesus must feel so hurt.

Posted by: sissy Location: somewhere on Aug 14, 2008 at 10:44 AM
ok the church isnt a cult and i appreciate u sayin that ur proud of the girls but believe me the church isnt a cult at all

Posted by: Gabe Location: Knoxville on Aug 14, 2008 at 08:21 AM
What does a place of worship look like? What does a youth counselor look like? Honestly, I've personally been to this church in the past and almost everyone there looks different than the average "Christian." And what might surprise you is that most of the ones I met are far more dedicated to their faith than the average "Christian" as well. I feel bad that this church has to be dragged through the mud because of this.

Posted by: THE Truth HURTS Location: Maryville on Aug 13, 2008 at 05:40 PM
I am proud of the girls for coming forward and getting help. It may be GODS place to judge these boils on the buttocks of society, but it is the responsibility of adults to protect their children and well be honest the place looks like some cult Compound like Waco or one of those weirdo strange cult worship places..

Posted by: jon Location: knox co on Aug 13, 2008 at 04:17 PM
i just wnat to say good job to the teens that spoke up to there parents,and great job done with parents that sat down,listened to there kids,did some thing about it,great job guys,i hope that,things will get better,and i also that there will be more teens that will speak up on this to,so these people won't get out anytime soon,God bless every one of you guys!!

Posted by: someone Location: ... on Aug 13, 2008 at 10:24 AM
i do not care if you knew everything about this... it is not ur place to judge the families them or anyone else.... THAT IS GOD'S PLACE NOT URS... yea kids should be in church... would u rather them be in church or doin drugs??? not everyone are like those people... judging people by the way they look could be the biggest mistake in your life!!!!

Posted by: Allie Location: Maryville on Aug 13, 2008 at 09:41 AM
And they did away with Township hangings because?? An eye for an eye is all fine. I wouldn't let these 2 sit my yellow lab they are scary looking anyway call me judgemental or not I dont really care I don't know what kind of operation they run and The Lord's Whosoever Dunnesth Doesth Will but these things were going on to long for "something" to not be detected. I doubt all of the children got along peachy keen with these leaders surely some kind of tension or strain in the teacher/ student relationships had to be detected within the building??

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Knox on Aug 12, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Why on earth do people just trust others with their children?I would never leave my kids with people,I do not care if they went to church or not.parents are going to have to start watching their kids more,this is sick and disgusting,and also this guy does not exactly look like a youth counselor to me.Would you leave your kids with him??

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