Alabama minister charged in rape of teen, fathered child of another teen, authorities say; bond denied

An Alabama youth minister accused in the repeated rape and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl who attended his church has been denied bond.

Terry Lewayne Murphree, 39, is charged in Blount County with 17 crimes: nine counts of a clergy member having sexual intercourse with a child, three counts of sexual abuse, and one count each of first-degree rape, electronic solicitation of a child, human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for sex, and first-degree attempted sodomy.

Murphree appeared in court this week before District Judge Sherry Burns.

Testimony in a Wednesday hearing revealed that four more victims have come forward since Murphree’s arrest earlier this month. Additionally, authorities said, Murphree had fathered the child of a teen girl under the age of 16.

“Since these charges there have been multiple victims of this defendant who have appeared and submitted to interviews,’’ with Blount County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Sgt. Ed Hull.

Murphree is only charged in the case of the 13-year-old, but more charges are expected.

The judge ruled that Murphree will remain behind bars, stating in her written order that he is a “danger to others, specifically young females.”

“Pretrial detention is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the public at large,’’ Burns wrote.

The judge also said there is enough probable cause to forward the case to a grand jury for indictment consideration.

“The weight of evidence as to guilt is strong,’’ Burns wrote.

The name of the church where Murphree served was not named in court records. The charging documents state that the alleged sexual assaults happened in March and continued through June.

Murphree is accused of having forced sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old girl on multiple occasions, as well as performing sex acts on her.

Intercourse against the girl’s will took place at least seven times and possibly as many as 15, records state. Those acts took place at the unnamed church, at Murphree’s home and at the victim’s home.

The suspect, prosecutors contend, used Snapchat and text message to demand nude photos from the victim. He also threated harm to himself and his wife, who filed for divorce from him last month – if the teen didn’t send him nude photos.