LAKEPORT ? A Gateway Ministries youth group leader pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of forced oral sex and intimidating a witness ? the 14-year-old youth group girl he allegedly assaulted.
Christopher Puryear, 23, of Kelseyville remains in custody at the Lake County Jail on $250,000 bail for the charges, including sexual battery.
Puryear allegedly asked the teenager to talk with him Nov. 25 outside a church function where he made sexual advances and only stopped when interrupted by someone exiting the church, Capt. Jim Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff”s Office said.
An officer asked the court for a higher bail because of the alleged threat to the victim, Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg said.
A church elder and another youth group leader reported to the Sheriff”s Office Dec. 18 that Puryear “had been spending inordinate amount of time talking with and texting teenage girls involved in the youth group,” Bauman said.
Sheriff”s officers then interviewed the victim who identified Puryear as the suspect, Bauman said. Deputies found Puryear Dec. 19 at the church where the alleged offenses took place and arrested him, Bauman said.
The Sheriff”s Office is still investigating the case, including identifying other potential victims, Bauman said.
Puryear will return to court 9 a.m. Monday for bail review and Jan. 8 for his preliminary examination.
Gateway Ministries on Big Valley Road in Finley was formerly known as Big Valley Community Church.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
