Pastor arrested for sexual abuse
By Peggy Blackburn-Editor Tuesday, January 11, 2005 11:00 PM CSTWETUMPKA — The disturbing news of a local pastor's arrest spread like wildfire
through Wetumpka on Monday. Authorities confirmed the grapevine's story.
Garett Albert Dykes, 38, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual abuse, three counts of production of obscene material of someone under 17, and one count of sodomy. The victims of the alleged sexual abuse are both under 10 years old.
"One of the victims came forward to a parent and told them that while they were at Dykes' house he abused them," said Elmore County Chief Deputy Ricky Lowery.
Sheriff Bill Franklin said he personally took the initial report from the victim's family on Sunday, and began an investigation. The victim's story led Franklin to Dykes.
"I didn't want a lot of fanfare at the church," he said. "I just included myself and the Chief Deputy, and we picked Mr. Dykes up at church Sunday night."
Franklin said the suspect was transported to the Elmore County Jail and interviewed. According to police reports Dykes admitted to the abuse.
"He was very forthcoming," noted Franklin. "Mr. Dykes told an exact replica of the story the child had already told us."
Lowery explained that the subject was released on $10,000 bond on Sunday night, but arrested again on Monday morning.
"Actually another victim came forward late Sunday night," Franklin said. "We initiated another report and that led to additional charges."
Dykes was taken back to the Elmore County Jail and interviewed again by representatives of the Sheriff's Department.
"He's now in jail under a $1.5 million bond," said Lowery.
Franklin reported that Dykes consented to a search of his River Oaks home, outbuildings and automobiles.
"That's how we obtained the video tapes," he added.
Franklin said the alleged abuse happened at the suspect's home n where the reported victims were spending the night. Dykes and his wife are the parents of three children, all under 10 years old.
"Our first objective is to find out how many victims we have," continued Franklin. "I think we will possibly have a third victim. We're trying to find out right now."
Sheriff Franklin noted that his department has fielded numerous calls from concerned families about the location in which the alleged abuses happened.
"Each incident took place in Dykes' home," he said. "There is no evidence of anything happening at church or in the church daycare n everything was confined to his home."
Franklin said his department's next step will be backtracking the suspect to Jasper, Ala. n Dykes' home before he moved to Wetumpka. The suspect came to the city to take the job as Calvary Baptist pastor in late December 2001.
"Calvary Baptist Church regrets that this incident involving our former pastor has taken place," said church administrator John Pritchett. "Our hearts go out to the victims and to their families. Our hearts are broken also for the Dykes family.
"The investigations done thus far do not indicate that any wrongdoing has taken place on church property or at any church function," he continued. "Any questions about the specific charges should be addressed to Sheriff Franklin."
District Attorney Randall Houston of the 19th Judicial District said Dykes initial court appearance was Tuesday, and the $1.5 million bond was confirmed.
He explained that a Grand Jury is already in session, and Dykes' case will be presented to the April Grand Jury.
"Hopefully the Sheriff will have concluded the investigation by then," said Houston. "I believe there may be more victims out there; and I would rather have all of the information prepared at once rather than piecemeal."
Houston said that if the suspect is indicted by the Grand Jury, the process will continue until a trial is held.
"There's a special place in Hell and a special in the Alabama Prison System for those who abuse children," Houston said.
"I've had several people today request that bail be set at $10, but I think they had impure thoughts in their minds," he added. "I think Mr. Dykes is safer in Sheriff Franklin's hotel right now than on the streets of Wetumpka."
