Preacher Arrested for Sexual Abuse - Dothan, Alabama

Reporter: Rayne McKenzie, March 27, 2007, WTVY-News4

Email Address: rayne@wtvynews4.com

Dothan Police have arrested a Dothan preacher on sexual abuse charges.

An investigation has been underway for several weeks and now, police have enough information to make a case.

Fifty-three-year-old Earl Holland has been accused of sexual abuse.

Holland is charged with four counts of first degree sexual abuse.

Police say he was taken into custody for abusing two eight-year-old girls who attend his church.

Police have not released the name of the church, but say it is a Baptist church in the city of Dothan.

Three of the charges against Holland occurred in Houston County and one occurred in Dale County.

The Dothan Police Department has been working closely with the Child Advocacy Center and Houston County Sheriff's Department during their investigation.

“We have got to insure safety of children. It’s important to locate predators and take [them] into custody so they don't prey on our children,” said Lt. David Jay of Dothan Police Dept.

Dothan Police say they are conducting a thorough investigation to see if any other children may have been victimized by Holland.

Holland is being held in the Houston County Jail without bond.

Bond Hearing for Dothan Preacher Accused of Sexual Abuse

Reporter: Rayne McKenzie, March 28, 2007, WTVY-News4

Email Address: rayne@wtvynews4.com

A bond hearing is held to decide if a Dothan preacher accused of sexually abusing children will be released until his trial.

During the hearing an investigator with the Dothan Police Department said Holland confessed to the crimes against two children and detailed how he violated them.

Dothan Police Dept. Investigator Phillip Rice said, "Holland gave a confession that he touched the victims in the vaginal areas and the buttocks."

Prosecuting Attorney Doug Valeska said the evidence proved that Holland is a danger to other children in the area if released, but still defense attorneys fought for a reasonable bail to be set.

"In Alabama charged with a crime you are entitled to bond and the judge will decide that," said Defense Attorney John White.

Juge Mendheim looked at all the evidence and set Holland’s bond at 250 thousand dollars with specific stipulations attached.

Prosecuting Attorney Doug Valeska said, "The defendant can't be around children under the age of 17, the judge wants to know where he is going to live before he is released and he can't have access to a computer."

The judge is mandating Holland not live at his current residence if released because there are many children around the age of the current victims living in that area.

The defense is pleased with the outcome of this hearing. In fact, Defense Attorney Doug Valeska says this is one of the highest bonds he has ever seen and thinks that shows how seriously the court system takes crimes against children.

A trial date has not yet been set for Earl Holland.

Holland Facing More Charges - More Victims Come Forward

Reporter: Clarissa Stephens

Email Address: clarissa@wtvynews4.com

More victims have come forward in the case of Earl Holland, a local preacher accused of sexual abuse against two eight year old girls.

Five more cases have been brought against 53 year old Earl Holland.

Earlier this week, a bond hearing was held for the first three warrants brought against Holland.

At that hearing, the bond was set at 250 thousand dollars and had specific stipulations.

The first, Holland was not allowed to continue living at his current residence.

Second, he's not allowed to have access to a computer.

Now, the Dothan Police Department has re-arrested Holland on five additional counts of sexual abuse first degree.

Each individual case carries a maximum sentence of up to ten years.

So, that's a total of possibly up to 50 years in prison.

Prosecuting attorney, Doug Valeska, is working with police to protect children in the area.

Prosecuting Attorney Doug Valeska said, "Just like the Dothan Police Department has asked, if there's any more information in this case, please come forward. Call Dothan Police, cooperate with us in this case so we can help protect the community."

Now, each of the five cases involves female victims under the age of twelve.

And, one of these cases allegedly happened in another Wiregrass county.

Friday afternoon, a second bond hearing was held before Judge Brad Meindheim for the new charges brought against Earl Holland.

He's being held in the Houston County Jail, with bonds now totaling one and a quarter million dollars.

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