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More Allegations Of Rape Against 71-Year-Old Pastor

Posted: 6:45 am EDT May 16, 2005Updated: 5:47 pm EDT May 16, 2005

Eyewitness News has discovered several more victims have come forward claiming a prominent Central Florida pastor raped them.

Lura Williams

The list of potential victims continues to grow. Five people, so far, have accused bishop Lura Williams of sex crimes, including one woman who says he raped her over and over when she was only 11 years old.

In the tiny town of Eatonville, this stunning case has grown even more disturbing. A man of the cloth is accused of unspeakable acts and at least one alleged victim wasn't even in her teens.

The woman, now 41, told investigators Williams would take her into wooded areas in Sanford and have his way. She has only come forward now after watching the story on Channel 9.

Williams is in jail with no bond, accused of raping a congregant just last month. Monday, police impounded the RV where the woman says the 71-year-old pastor attacked her on April 26. She said Williams invited her over to talk church business, but instead forced her to have sex.

It's a similar story, police said, now told by as many as five woman. And, since Williams has been preaching at the Worldwide Revival Center since 1969, they fear they've just begun to scratch the surface of an outrageous case.

In fact, because Eatonville is such a small police department and victims are spread out as far as Seminole and Lake counties, they're asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to help with the investigation.

As for Williams, he's charged so far in connection with only one victim. From jail he declined an on-camera interview.

Lura Williams has several other arrests on his record. In 1990, he was arrested for aggravated assault with a weapon and battery. In 1995, Williams was charged with exhibiting a dangerous weapon. Then, in 2002, he was charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm.

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