Pastor from Tortola arrested on Child Abuse & Unlawful Sexual Contact charges in USVI
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- The [US] VI Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau has arrested 63-year-old Lawrence Turnbull of Estate Mandahl, and pastor of the St Paul Baptist Church, on charges of child abuse and unlawful sexual contact.
According to reports, Turnbull is originally from Tortola but migrated to the US Virgin Islands some years ago.
According to VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte, the arrest took place on Friday, February 28, 2025, following an extensive investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning several years.
According to the police report, a minor reported to law enforcement that over the past six years, Turnbull—who served as her pastor—established a relationship with her, positioning himself as a mentor and father figure. However, the minor later realised that his intentions were not genuine. Investigators determined that Turnbull allegedly exploited the minor’s trust by engaging in inappropriate physical contact, despite her repeated attempts to avoid him.
Evidence provided
The victim provided evidence that Turnbull acknowledged his involvement in unwelcome sexual contact and indicated that he continued to pursue her even after she clearly expressed her disinterest. The investigation ultimately led to his arrest by the Major Crimes Unit.
Turnbull was taken into custody at 2:30 p.m. Friday and faces charges of child abuse, second-degree unlawful sexual contact, obscene internet contact with a minor, harassment by telephone, cyberstalking, and disturbance of the peace.
His bail was set at $60,000, and he was transported to the Richard N. Callwood Command, where he was processed before being remanded to the Bureau of Corrections, pending his advise of rights hearing.
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29 Responses to “Pastor from Tortola arrested on Child Abuse & Unlawful Sexual Contact charges in USVI”
If I called you a pedo would it make you a pedo? No. Of course not. He hasn't even been charged with doing anything wrong.
Let him go through the process before you cast a stone.
Mankind by nature is wicked, but can make righteous decisions, and do righteous deeds by choice, if he/she chooses.
This is a universal problem that can only be overcome by God's power being allowed to control, by submission, over our depraved will.
Whether one be a Pastor, a doctor, a President, a nurse a mechanic, a pilot, a politician, a male, a female, a Pope or has some other profession, as long a Satan is be allow to influence the mind, evil manifestations is a must.
As many and I see it, for this crime, This wolf in sheep's clothing, fake pastor should be made to pay for this advantageous crime against this child. Not only that he should be spend the appropriate number of years in prison, but he should also be made to pay a lage sum of money to her (shame money) to help her recover mentally over time.
Also, I do hope that the abused child parents will be healed from this sad, and unexpected piece of news.
You're Praying for members of the Church????
What about the Child / young lady???
Hoping you're Praying for her also.
But hearing the whole story will always be important, and we should never forget that a family is trying to stand right now, trying not to lose their faith, trying to breathe.. I'm praying for them, and my family as well.
And se God is not like man he is a forgiving God