An affidavit has been filed in the case of Paul Pressler, the prominent Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leader accused of molesting a young man for several years from the 1970s, which the attorney for his alleged victim says corroborates his story.
The retired Texas judge, 87, was behind the so-called 'conservative resurgence' of the 1980s which saw moderate SBC voices sidelined in favour of conservatives. He is the subject of allegations by Gareld Duane Rollins, who has said Pressler abused him sexually from the late 1970s, when Rollins was 14, to 2004. Pressler has denied all the charges.
The affidavit refers to a married man in his 50s who says he believes Pressler 'had designs' on him when he was a teenager, according to Baptist News Global. It says Pressler inappropriately shared a bunk with him on a weekend youth retreat at his ranch and used to take boys from the youth group to saunas and showers at a country club when no other members were present.
The man says Pressler groped him in a steam bath. 'I was absolutely not aroused,' the statement says. 'I froze. Shocked, stunned and utterly frightened, I had no idea what to expect next. I was naked and trapped — miles from home — and I needed to be beyond Pressler's reach.
'My instincts told me to carry on as though nothing had happened – to end the incident with no further incident. With great difficulty, I talked calmly, while staying alert. We returned to the locker room and dressed. Then Pressler drove me to my car without further incident. I went home and from that moment I have stayed away from him.'
Rollins' attorney Daniel Shea said the affidavit was one of a number that would be put forward covering the period from 1977 to as recently as 2016.
The Southern Baptist Convention is also named in the case. The suit alleges the SBC knew of Pressler's alleged behaviour and concealed it, that it made minors sexually available to him and that it continues 'to assist Pressler through obstruction of justice'.
It has moved to have the case dismissed under the statute of limitations, saying: 'The attendant costs to SBC, taxpayers and judicial resources constitute an abuse of the civil justice system.'
Pressler has denied all allegations in the lawsuit. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Baptist News Global.
