Church Pastor Arrested For Sex Abuse On Girls

Winter Haven, Fla.(970 WFLA)- A Polk County Sheriff's investigation that has been underway since last September, resulted in the arrest Thursday of the Pastor of Mountain Movers Ministries in Eloise.

43 year old David Cooper is facing charges of sexual battery on a girl  under the age of twelve, and lewd exhibition with another girl under twelve.

According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the investigation began when the sheriff's office responded to a call by Winter Haven Hospital  about possible sexual abuse of a girl under twelve.  During the investigation, detectives learned that Cooper had exposed himself to her on four occasions in the past year.  

Detectives say they also discovered that there might be a second victim, A woman who is now an adult, says  Cooper sexually abused her numerous times when she was a child, including intercourse when she was between ten and twelve years old.

"One of the stressful aspects of working in law enforcement, is having to come face-to-face with horrendous acts by a child predator. It's because of the dedication of our deputies who investigated this, and other crimes like it, and the willingness of victims and witnesses to come forward, that this man won't be able to do this to any child ever again." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

The Sheriff's Office reports says Cooper's contact with both victims was not made through his work at the church.  

Photo Credit:Polk County Sheriff's Office


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