AT2W

Rev Tedd Butler Accused of Sexual Abuse on Boys

Grand Rapids Pastor Charged with Sexually Assaulting Two Young Boys

Report from Oretha Wilson, Elev8

Rev. Tedd Butler, pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church, of Grand Rapid Michigan is expected in court Thursday to face charges he sexually assaulted two boys, each under 13, that he met through the church.

He is accused of two separate offenses. In Ottawa County, he’s facing second-degree sexual assault — that is, improper touching – in Ottawa County’s Tallmadge Township. Records show he lives in that township, but it’s not known whether these alleged offenses happened at his home.

But in northern Kent County, authorities told 24 Hour News 8 he’s being charged with first-degree sexual assault with a different boy. Ottawa County investigators said the alleged assaults happened years ago. Butler, 46, is married with children and has no criminal record. The church’s web site shows he joined Gospel Light Baptist Church in 2003 after working as a youth pastor at a Baptist church in Newaygo.

Timeline to Justice:

UPDATE: On Dec, 15, 2011, Pastor Tedd Butler plead guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct which lowers the penalties from a potential life felony to a high-court misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of two years in jail. Source

UPDATE: On Jan. 23, 2011, Tedd Butler received a sentence of 12 months in jail for molesting a boy when he was 5 years old.