Longtime N.C. youth pastor arrested for sexual battery

HIGH POINT, N.C. (BP) — James Robert Murphey was arrested Aug. 29 on 30 counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. Murphey, 44, had served as youth minister at Oak View Baptist Church in High Point since at least 2005. 

Detectives told local news outlets that they began investigating Murphey in January of this year. They identified several victims, all of whom were between 16 and 19 years old at the time of the crimes. 

Local news channel WXII reported that warrants indicated Murphey exposed himself and told victims to remove clothing.

Oak View Baptist leadership was made aware of the allegations in January and placed Murphey on leave. He resigned a week later.

The identity of victims and locations of the incidents are unknown.

“Any kind of incident involving any of our members, especially our youth, is going to be taken very seriously,” church security director Chris Martin told WXII last week. “We’ve regained the trust of our youth parents, as well as the youth, and we are continuing to build that trust.”

Murphey is being held in the High Point Jail on a $100,000 bond.

N.C. Christian school teacher arrested for ‘indecent liberties’

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (BP) — Kevin Edward Campbell was arrested Aug. 29 on charges of indecent liberties with a student, according to local police.

Campbell, 33, was a teacher at Calvary Day School, which is affiliated with Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.

Officers responded to the school in May after a report of a teacher having a relationship with a student. A special victims unit began an investigation which led to Campbell’s arrest last week.

The school released the following statement after his arrest:

“In May, we were informed of an allegation that Mr. Campbell had engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student. After receiving this information, we immediately contacted the Winston-Salem police department and shared with them what we knew. We also placed Mr. Campbell on leave pending the police investigation.  On June 3, 2024, we terminated Mr. Campbell’s employment contract. 

“Upon learning of the arrest on August 29, we communicated it to our school and church community. While this criminal legal process continues, we are committed to fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities regarding these allegations as well as any additional information we may learn.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or [email protected]. All calls are confidential.)