Houston reverend accused of molesting church members

Reverend Curtis Bass faces two counts of indecency with a child.

ABC13 Eyewitness News/October 13, 2004
By Laura Whitley

Houston -- They went to him for guidance, but instead a local pastor is accused of molesting several young girls. Investigators think there could be more victims out there.

A probably cause hearing involving Reverend Curtis Bass, a long-time church pastor, was held Wednesday morning. Over the past ten years, there have been as many as four girls and women who have filed complaints with the Harris County Sheriff's office against Rev. Bass.

Currently, Rev. Bass faces two counts of indecency with a child. A former church member says the reverend fondled her ten years ago when she was 16 years old. The alleged victim says she thought no one would believe her, and only came forward when her cousin filed a similar complaint.

Four years ago, a case involving sexual assault allegations made by an 11-year-old girl was dropped after a jury failed to indict the pastor. Now the sheriff's office is reopening its investigation of that case, even though Rev. Bass says he's innocent.

The stepmother of the alleged victim is following the latest case closely.

"I talked to a deputy and he said (Bass) was going in front of a judge today, and I wanted to make my appearance," she said. "To let him know that we have not forgotten about it."

Defense attorney Ira Chenkin admitted, "I am aware that they are investigating other cases. The other cases and who they are, I do not know. But I know Pastor Bass has never sexually assaulted anybody."

The Harris County Sheriff's office thinks there may be more women or girls with complaints. They're asking anyone with information to give them at a call at 713-529-4216.

A grand jury will now get the case involving the two counts of indecency with a child and consider a possible indictment.

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