MARIETTA, Ga. -- A Marietta church is making some big changes after two employees were jailed for sex-related crimes in the past several months.
John Samuel Stafford, 53, is currently in the Cobb County jail on charges of sexual battery for allegedly molesting a teenage girl. The pastor of Eastside Baptist church, John Hull, said Stafford worked part-time as a janitor for the large house of worship on and off for years.
News of Stafford's arrest comes on the heels of a disturbing case in April in which 25-year-old youth Minister Alexander Edwards was arrested for allegedly molesting an 11-year-old boy. Edwards was also arrested on obscenity charges back in 2013 while working as a youth minister in Albany, Ga.
Lead Pastor John Hull told 11Alive’s Valerie Hoff by phone that the church has hired a world class security expert, increased its background checks on potential employees and is changing the hiring process. He said Edwards should not have been hired.
“The big problem with Alec Edwards was a unilateral hire was made by our chief hiring officer at the time,” Hull said. “That chief hiring officer was placed on a leave of absence about four weeks ago and we are about to finalize his future with us.”
Back in 2001 Gunther Fiek, who taught martial arts at the church, was convicted on 21 counts of child molestation. He’s currently serving 90 years in prison.
Hull said all church members have been notified of the recent incidents, and urged to report any other inappropriate activity.
“We have prepared ourselves, if there is anyone else who wishes to come forward, that we want to make it a safe and confidential approach,” Hull said.
Edwards has been released on $20,000 bond.
Stafford is serving 30 days of a 12 month sentences, with the rest on probation.
Fiek has filed a motion for a new trial.
