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Former Three Rivers pastor charged with CSC

Posted at 9:38 AM, Jun 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-16 09:49:38-04

THREE RIVERS, Mich.–Police say a church pastor from Three Rivers used his position of authority to coerce an 18-year-old woman–a member of his congregation–into having sex with him.

The Three Rivers Police Department says James Nelson Bailey Jr., 66, was a pastor at the Three Rivers Bible Church until he resigned in late may as a result of the incidents.

Police say he had been counseling the young woman since 2014, when she was 16. The charges in the case stem from two incidents that police say occurred during the late evening and morning hours of April 21, and May 18.

Investigators say the sex was consensual, but Bailey, as pastor and counselor to the victim, was in a position of authority, and used his position to manipulate and coerce the victim to consent.

Bailey is free on bond pending a future court date.

An online biography states that Bailey attended Detroit Bible College and Grace Theological Seminary, and served in various ministries since 1976.

He became the full-time senior pastor at Three Rivers Bible Church in November 2009.