Pastor accused in sex assaults

A North Augusta pastor has been accused of sexual assaults a teenage girl for approximately five years, dating back to 1990, but investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office say they suspect there are more victims who have yet to come forward, according to officials.

Lawrence Smith Jr., 69, of Bradleyville Road in North Augusta, is charged with three counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, three counts of lewd act upon a child and three counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Aiken County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested Smith at his home Thursday, said Lt. Michael Frank, a sheriff's office spokesperson.

Between December 1990 and December 1995, the teenage girl was sexually assaulted on numerous occasions. The assaults took place at the pastor's home and another home on Bradleyville Road, Frank said.

"We know for a fact there are more victims," said Sheriff Michael Hunt. "Some either have moved out of the area or do not want to cooperate, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward."

Investigators have been tight-lipped about how the man met the victims for fear of identifying the girls; however, they would say that they did come into contact with the man because of his position as a pastor.

In January 2005, fire destroyed Free Indeed Holiness Church, where Smith served as pastor. The cause of the fire never was determined, Frank said.

He has since been operating out of a small storefront church on Highway 25 near Belvedere-Clearwater Road, Frank said.

Investigators learned of the allegations a year ago when an inmate at the detention center came forward about the abuse.

"She was being held here," Frank said.

Investigators say they later corroborated her story and learned of more possible victims.

"We hope that more are willing to come forward," Frank said.

The victim ranged in age from 11-16 during the series of alleged assaults, according to investigators.

Smith is being held at the Aiken County detention center.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com