Pastor of World International Ministries of Sumter, South Carolina, Larry DuRant, has been charged with sexually abusing three young girls during private prayer sessions.
DuRant allegedly told the young girls that performing sexual acts with him would protect and heal them from having lesbian relationships, contracting sexual related diseases and from getting pregnant.
Police started investigating DuRant, 58, in May, after one of the alleged victims told her parents about the private prayer or “healing” sessions.
DuRant was arrested Friday and has now been charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor between the ages of 11 and 14 and four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. One of the alleged victims was only 11 years old.
The victim said that DuRant had told her to keep quiet about their “private prayer session” and that she should not report it to anyone and “go against God’s will.”
Police believe that there may be other victims who have just not come forward yet and are asking for any information as to other alleged abuses.
Deputy Chief Alvin Holston said that because the alleged abuse had been going on for more than two years, and given the methods that DuRant allegedly used, they believe there may be other victims out there.
Holston went on to say “It appeared that he may have had a routine on gaining the trust and the private company of some of the juveniles.”
DuRant had been offering private prayer sessions at his home as well as two World International Ministry centers since 2011, according to court documents. DuRant’s wife, Melody also works at the church ministry.
According to reports, DuRant has also been charged with forgery after he allegedly forged the name of one of his victim’s grandmothers on a Quit Claim Deed and filed it with the Sumter County Register of Deeds
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