Seminole County pastor, well-known radio host accused of sexual battery on minor

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — A pastor and well-known radio show host has been arrested on charges of sexual battery on a minor, according to a booking report from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

Rev. Bryan G. Fulwider, 59, was arrested Wednesday in Altamonte Springs on a warrant out of Orange County on charges of sexual battery on a person under 18 years old, the report said.

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Winter Park police told Channel 9 reporter Jeff Levkulich that the incidents happened between 2005 and 2010.  Police said the victim recently came forward.

At the time of the incidents, Fulwider was working as senior pastor at First Congregational Church of Winter Park on South Interlachen Avenue, police said. Fulwider no longer works at the church.

The church released the following statement Thursday:

"Our church community has been deeply pained to learn of the arrest of Bryan Fulwider, who resigned from First Congregational more than seven years ago. At this time, we have no information about this matter, but we pray that any victim associated with this be given privacy in order to move forward and heal."

James Coffin, executive director of Interfaith Council of Central Florida, was at Fulwider's first court appearance, when a judge ordered his colleague and friend to be sent to Orange County to face 30 sex battery charges.

"Obviously, his status with the interfaith council and radio and everything else is on hold," Coffin said. "It's difficult to go back in and do the same kind of work that was being done with the same kind of impact."

According to TWGradio.com, Fulwider is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Building US.

The ordained minister has co-hosted a weekly radio show called “Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise guys” since 2012, which airs on Orlando’s NPR affiliate, 90.7 WMFE.

The general manager said the program has been put on hiatus.

"We are shocked as everyone in the community. We know Bryan as an outstanding member of the broadcasting as well as the Interfaith religious community, and today's events have just left us in a state of bewilderment," said Stephen Yasko, interim president and general manager of WMFE-FM.

Police said they are investigating whether there are may be any alleged victims who have not come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call the Winter Park Police Department at 407-599-3211.

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