China Grove pastor accused of inappropriately touching women

A China Grove pastor is expected in court this week to face assault charges after he was accused of inappropriately touching three women in his congregation, reports the Salisbury Post.

Private warrants were sought against Gene Edwards, 71, of the 5800 block of Self Road, Kannapolis, on Aug. 2 and Aug. 18 for misdemeanor assault on a female. He is expected in district court Thursday.

Edwards is pastor of Genesis Baptist Church on Old Concord Road, where most of the incidents reportedly occurred, the victims said.

The women, who ranged from age 51 to age 75, complained the pastor hugged them inappropriately, pressed against the sides of their breasts with his hands, refused to let go and in one case tried to kiss a woman on the mouth.

None of the women contacted law enforcement, the criminal process forms show. All of the complaints were made through private warrants obtained at the magistrate’s office, the Salisbury Post reports.

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 6:29 AM with the headline "China Grove pastor accused of inappropriately touching women."