A church youth leader is accused of a crime against a child who attended his church, and the suspect has a long history of spending time in prison for molesting kids.
Michael Joy, 40, was arrested and was taken to the Wyandotte County jail. He faces a charge of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child between 8 and 14 years old.
Stony Point Baptist Church Pastor Thomas Hamilton said he spoke openly with his congregation about the incident involving one of the church's youth leaders at services on Sunday. He said Joy confessed he'd been in prison before but lied about why. State records show Joy was convicted of eight counts of child molestation in the late 80s. Hamilton said he feels betrayed and now he and his congregation are working together to move forward and heal.
"We are working with families and we are trying to help in understanding and deal with the hurts," he said. "We must move forward."
Hamilton said Joy was arrested at the church last week, but the alleged sexual misconduct did not take place on church property.
Joy is being held on 150,000 dollar bond.
Michael Joy, 40, was arrested and was taken to the Wyandotte County jail. He faces a charge of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child between 8 and 14 years old.
Stony Point Baptist Church Pastor Thomas Hamilton said he spoke openly with his congregation about the incident involving one of the church's youth leaders at services on Sunday. He said Joy confessed he'd been in prison before but lied about why. State records show Joy was convicted of eight counts of child molestation in the late 80s. Hamilton said he feels betrayed and now he and his congregation are working together to move forward and heal.
"We are working with families and we are trying to help in understanding and deal with the hurts," he said. "We must move forward."
Hamilton said Joy was arrested at the church last week, but the alleged sexual misconduct did not take place on church property.
Joy is being held on 150,000 dollar bond.
