Church Counselor Charged With Statutory Rape, Sodomy

Police: Girl's Grandmother, Church Pastor Knew About Relationship

TheKansasCityChannel.com/January 27, 2005

Kansas City, Mo. -- A Kansas City church youth counselor is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl in the congregation.

Darren Hall, 36, was arrested Wednesday and charged with statutory rape and sodomy.

Investigators told KMBC that Hall -- who is married and has children -- first met the girl when she was 11. The girl attended a Sunday school class Hall taught at Friendship Baptist Church in Kansas City.

According to court documents, the relationship became sexual last year when the girl turned 15.

"They were sexually active from February until December," Kansas City Detective Michelle Mills said.

In a sworn affidavit, Hall said he and the girl had sex at numerous locations, including his home, various hotels and in Swope Park. In one of the hotels, Hall allegedly showed the teenager pornography.

Hall told police he was in love with the girl and has no regrets.

Friendship Baptist Church

"In his opinion, it was a normal relationship," Mills said.

Police said the church pastor and the girl's grandmother -- who is also her guardian -- knew about Hall's relationship but did nothing to stop it.

The grandmother told police she thought Hall was a nice and generous man. KMBC reported that Hall had showered the girl and her family with gifts, including diamond rings, a cell phone, clothing, a watch, a car and a furnace.

Both the pastor and the grandmother could face charges in connection with failing to report the alleged relationship.

"[The pastor] was worried that it might get out, and that it would be bad publicity for the church. So, he preferred to handle it within the church," Mills said.

In a written statement released Thursday night from Friendship Baptist Church, the Rev. James A. Terrance wrote:

"I am deeply disturbed and saddened to hear about the events today. My prayers go out to all families affected and involved in this horrible situation ... In no way do we condone or accept the behavior that has been reported today. I will never accept such behavior in our ministry."

Hall's wife was apparently unaware of the situation.

Hall will appear in court Friday.