Texas Pastor Arrested For Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen Girl Over Two Years

A Texas pastor has been arrested for repeatedly sexual assaulting a teenage girl over the course of two years.

The victim, who has not been named but who is said to currently be 18, filed a complaint with the Odessa Police Department in the southern US state of Texas on 17th January.

The woman said that the suspect had sexually assaulted her at least three times over the last two years. The first sexual assault allegedly took place when she was just 16.

Aaron Duane Shipman, 44, was taken into custody on 20th January 2022 and charged with one count of second-degree felony sexual assault in Odessa, Texas, in the USA. (Odessa Police Department /Newsflash)

The last attack happened on 16th January 2022, a day before she went to police, according to a statement.

After the complaint, Texas police arrested 44-year-old Aaron Duane Shipman. He was taken into custody on 20th January.

A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam was administered to the victim by a doctor, and the result reportedly showed that the victim had suffered sexual trauma.

The Bible Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas, where Aaron Duane Shipman, 44 worked as Pastor. (Google Maps/Newsflash)

Shipman was booked in the Ector County Detention Center on a USD-60,000 (GBP-44,500) bond before being released on bond, according to local media.

Shipman had been working as the lead pastor at the Bible Baptist Church in the city of Odessa.

The church has said that it has fired Shipman, adding that it did so immediately after it heard about the case.

The church said: “As a ministry, we are deeply saddened and hurt to hear of the allegations brought against Aaron Shipman.

The Bible Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas, where Aaron Duane Shipman, 44 worked as Pastor. (Google Maps/Newsflash)

“Due to the nature of the allegations, we have terminated the position of Mr. Shipman at Bible Baptist Church effective immediately.”

The church also banned him from going to its property. It added: “He is banned indefinitely from the property and campuses of our church.

“We are, and will continue to be in full cooperation with the authorities and any state officials. We are asking our staff and members not to discuss this matter further while it is pending before the courts.”

The case is ongoing.