A Vian pastor has been charged with a felony count of lewd molestation in Sequoyah County District Court after he allegedly rubbed up against a minor under the age of 16 in a “lewd and lascivious manner,” according to court documents.
Michael Martin, 74, pastor of Vian Baptist Church, was formally charged on Nov. 13 and a felony warrant was issued for his arrest the same day. He received a $10,000 bond and is to have no contact with the alleged victim as a condition of his bond.
Martin is set to appear for an arraignment at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, Vian Police officer Micah Harvey received a report on Sept. 22 of Martin allegedly touching a minor under the age of 16, in an inappro- priate manner, at the church on Sept. 16.
Vian Police Chief Mark Harkins interviewed the minor and the minor’s mother on Sept. 22 at the police department, and a forensics interview was conducted on Sept. 25 at Help I n Crisis in Sallisaw. The minor stated during the interview that while outside speaking with the youth group leader, Martin came up behind the minor, put his hands on the minor’s shoulders, and then “continued to get into the minor’s personal space.”
The minor said they were shocked, scared and embarrassed and while looking at their youth leader, the minor mouthed something to the effect of “what is he doing to me?’” Martin reportedly let go of the minor’s shoulders but continued to stand close to them. The minor said they were too shaken to step away from Martin, and reported the alleged incident to the church youth group leader.
On Oct. 1, Harkins interviewed the youth leader who was reportedly speaking with the minor when Martin walked up. The youth leader told authorities they were standing at a bladed 20-to-25-degree angle when Martin walked up behind the minor, placed his hands on the minor’s shoulders and continued to get closer. When Harkins asked the youth leader if they considered Martin to be in the minor’s “personal space” the youth leaders said, “yes, enough to catch my attention.” The youth leader went on to say that they were “taken back” by Martin’s actions and could only stare at him, hoping he would see them and release the minor.
When Martin walked away from the minor, the minor told the youth leader what happened and the youth leader stayed inside the church with the minor until they were picked up.
Harkins said he interviewed Martin the following day at the police department, and Martin was reportedly aware of the allegations made against him, according to the affidavit.
Harkins said he explained the allegations in detail to Martin, but Martin claimed they never happened. Martin did say, “Or if it did happen, if it did, I am not saying it did because I don’t believe it did, I have a pretty good memory for circumstances like that,” according to the affidavit.
He also stated that he was never outside the church, which was where the alleged incident reportedly occurred and that he would never “bunny bump” someone.
Martin also stated several times during his interview “that if it happened, it was an accident” and that “the victim possibly backed into him,” although he claimed he did not remember the incident at all.
A church representative said Martin is currently on leave from the church.
Vian Baptist Church released the following statement following the allegations: “We are grieved by these serious allegations. We stand against abuse in every form, and we are praying for everyone impacted by this.”
If found guilty of the charge, District Attorney Jack Thorp said the crime is punishable by imprisonment for three to 20 years.
