Fountain Police arrest former youth pastor on unlawful sexual communication charge
FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) -- In October of 2022, the Fountain Police Department (FPD) began an investigation into an adult youth pastor who reportedly was sending sexually explicit materials to a minor who had attended the pastor's youth group.
The FPD said their investigation eventually led to the arrest of 38-year-old Jeffery Williams.
According to the FPD, Williams was a pastor with the Salvation Army when it was located at 901 N. Santa Fe Ave. in Fountain from 2013 to 2017.
Williams turned himself over to the FPD on Nov. 10, 2022. He was booked on unlawful sexual communication by a person in a position of trust and obscenity charges.
13 Investigates reached out to the Salvation Army regarding Williams. Officials said that Williams attended The Salvation Army College for training in California from 2011 to 2013.
He was then commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 2013 and served at the Fountain corps. from June 2013 to June 2017. After leaving Colorado, he served at the Chandler, Ariz. corps until his Oct. 2022.
According to a statement they provided, he was suspended per the Salvation Army's policy when officials learned of the allegations in October. It's unclear what the status of his position is at this time.
Officials also reported the allegations to the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline.
Read the church's full statement below:
The Salvation Army is aware of the arrest of former Salvation Army Captain Jeff Williams on a warrant of arrest issued by the Fountain Police Department in Colorado where he used to be stationed. The Salvation Army understands that the charges at issue involve conduct that occurred about seven years ago in Colorado but the charges are serious, and The Salvation Army does not tolerate sexual misconduct or improprieties of any kind. In accordance with our policy, once we learned of the allegations last month he was immediately suspended and we reported these allegations to the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. Since making this report we have been cooperating with Fountain Police and Williams has been terminated. We have also attempted to contact the victim in the case to extend any assistance she may require.
The Salvation Army maintains a comprehensive program, called “Protecting the Mission,” to help prevent and stop the abuse of children and vulnerable adults using stringent screening requirements, monitoring and supervision rules, training standards, and, most importantly, a culture of transparency where internal and external reporting is welcomed and encouraged. Our protection program was developed in consultation with industry leaders more than 20 years ago and we remain committed to maintaining a high standard regarding abuse prevention and reporting. We will continue to place the protection of the vulnerable at the center of everything that we do. The work of The Salvation Army to serve people in need continues under new leadership in the communities of Fountain, CO and in Chandler, AZ where he was stationed at the time of the arrest.
To this end, we encourage anyone with information about this matter to contact the Fountain Police Department or their local authorities for additional assistance. The Salvation Army stands against abuse and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as the investigation continues. Please contact the Fountain Police Department if you have further questions about the charges.
The Salvation Army
According to officials, the Salvation Army hasn't received any complaints about his conduct with minors until this one case.
Still, FPD detectives are seeking the public's assistance in locating any additional witnesses or victims. If you have any information, contact Corporal Tori Slater at (719) 382-4288.
To remain anonymous, contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
