The Multi-County Grand Jury has indicted Joseph Lyle Campbell, a former youth pastor in Tulsa, on charges of first-degree rape and lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16. The indictment states that the alleged crimes took place in 1984 when Campbell served at the Eastland Assembly of God Church.
According to the indictment, between May 1 and October 1, 1984, Campbell allegedly raped an 11- or 12-year-old girl in his home garage. He is also accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl at the church during a period from March 1 to December 1 of the same year.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond acknowledged the efforts of the grand jury involved in reviewing evidence for this case. “The crimes alleged in the indictment are horrific,” Drummond said. “There can be no tolerance for child sex predators, particularly adults who exploit their positions of authority and the faith of their victims. My office will vigorously work to ensure justice is served for the women who have carried this trauma for decades.”
Campbell has most recently been identified as serving as a pastor at Morningside in Blue Eye, Missouri.
Authorities emphasized that all individuals arrested or charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.