Pierce set for bond hearing

The Benton Courier

April 27, 2009

David Pierce, a longtime music minister at First Baptist Church of Benton, was scheduled for a bond hearing late this morning in Benton District Court.

Pierce, 56, was arrested Friday and charged with one count of sexual indecency with a child, a Class D felony. He was scheduled to appear for the bond hearing before District Judge Mike Robinson via videoconference from the Saline County Detention Center in Benton.

Sheriff Bruce Pennington, a member of First Baptist, arrested Pierce at his Benton residence on Friday.
The alleged victim is a is a teenage boy who was a member of the Pure Energy youth choir program that Pierce directed.

According to authorities, church officials said they found out about the allegations the previous week and notified the state Department of Human Services, which in turn notified the Arkansas State Police. A local investigation began after that, Pennington said.

“Regardless of a person’s stature in the community, this type of criminal activity won’t be condoned,” Pennington said at a Friday night news conference in which he announced Pierce’s arrest.

“By no means is this case over,” Pennington added. “This case is still under investigation.”

Pennington said he expects additional charges to be filed against Pierce.

The case came to light in large part because of “an outcry” from youths at First Baptist, Pennington said. Around 150 youths are involved in the choir program.

“Most of the individuals who are making accusations against Pierce have been part of that program,” Pennington said. “I think as this lays out, there will be more charges,”

The Arkansas State Police’s Crimes Against Children Unit and Benton police are assisting in the investigation, Pennington said.

Pierce, who served as minister of music at First Baptist for 29 years, is married, has three adult children and two grandchildren. He was fired from his position after returning from a senior adult trip to Chicago last Saturday.

Dr. Rick Grant, pastor of First Baptist, issued the following statement regarding Pierce’s arrest:

“This is a very sad day for me, for First Baptist Church, its staff and the congregation. It’s also a sad day for the Pierce family. I don’t have a lot to share with you at this point. We are trying to digest all of this. I can tell you that we, as a church, have cooperated with the appropriate authorities. I can also tell you that I’m personally heartsick over all of this. Our church is in mourning. I ask you to pray for everyone involved.”

Grant acknowledged that the events for which he was fired occurred several years ago, but “left the church no alternative other than to dismiss him.”

 Pennington asked anyone who may have additional allegations against Pierce to call the sheriff’s office at 303-5609.

SNAP note: First Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas is shown as an SBC-affiliated church.

See also:

Interviews continue in Pierce case , Benton Courier, 4/29/09

Judge to Pierce: No contacts, Benton Courier, 4/28/09

3 more claim abuse by former minister, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/28/09

Benton Choir Minister Arrested for Sexual Indecency with a Child, KTHV-TV, 4/25/09

SNAP statement: Sex abuse victims prod Baptist church's prior leaders to search consciences, 4/30/09