By Lisa Wilson lwilson@islandpacket.com October 12, 2017 9:58 AM
http://www.islandpacket.com/news/state/south-carolina/article178429791.html
A Walterboro minister is under investigation after video surfaced that
shows him allegedly touching underage girls inappropriately during
services, according to WCSC television station.
The Colleton County Sheriff's Office and the State Law Enforcement
Division began investigating the Rev. Ralph Stair, 84, on Oct. 2, WCSC
reports. The video, which had been posted on YouTube, is narrated by a
man who says he used to belong to the church, Overcomer Ministry.
Walterborolive.com reported that another video posted on the same day
focused on a young woman who alleged she was targeted by Stair.
No charges have been filed against the minister.
Stair pleaded guilty to assault and battery in 2004 after being charged with touching two young church members, according to Walterborolive.com. He was sentenced at that time to two 30-day jail terms. Lisa Wilson: 843-706-8103
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING COLLETON CO. PASTOR OVER VIDEO TAKEN IN CHURCH 2017-10-11T22:00:20Z2017-10-11T22:00:20Z
By Harve Jacobs, Reporter harvejacobs@live5news.com
http://www.live5news.com/story/36575210/authorities-investigating-colleton-co-pastor-over-video-taken-in-church
CANADYS, SC (WCSC) - - A Lowcountry preacher is under investigation after a video surfaced that allegedly shows him touching an underage girl during a church service.
The Colleton County Sheriff's Office and State Law Enforcement Division are investigating the Rev. Ralph Stair.
The investigation into Stair began on Oct. 2 after the Colleton County
Sheriff's Office received a call about a video that came from a woman
with a relative who is reportedly a member of Stair's Overcomer
Ministry in Canadys.
A man who narrates the video says he used to belong to the church.
"He is a master manipulator and although he calls it a church, as a
former member let me assure you that it is a cult," the narrator says.
The narrator says the video is a collection of clips from church
services between July 1 and Oct. 1 of this year. The video appears to
depict the 84-year old Stair telling a girl to get up and come to him.
"I'm gonna touch your, uh, what do you call them?" he says. The girl
whispers something into his ear. "I never heard them called that
anymore. I call them breasts. Lady has a problem with breasts."
In another part of the video, Stair calls up another girl. "How old are you hon?" he asks her. "Twelve, getting right close to it now."
Then Stair tells her to come back up. "Come here, I'll show you, just look, look here," he says.
Stair has the 12-year-old face the audience. In the video, Stair places his hand between her breasts. "Growing up," he says.
The video shows Stair cupping the 12-year-old's right breast. Then she
goes back to her seat. "I'm gonna touch those things till nobody else can touch 'em," he says.
In 2002, Stair was arrested on charges of sexual assault for improperly touching two young female church members.
Live 5 News reporter Harve Jacobs tried to ask him questions after his
bond reduction hearing.
"Rev. Stair, anything you want to say, sir?" Jacobs asks.
"Bless you," Stair responds.
"Are you running cult at that compound sir?" Jacobs asks.
"God bless you, sir," Stair answers.
Stair eventually agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges of assault
and battery and was given two 30-day sentences with credit for time
already spent in jail.
Access to Stair's compound is blocked by a gate. When contacted for a
comment on these latest accusations, an employee of Overcomer Ministry
said Stair was not available.
"You can leave your number," the employee said. "I'm not sure if he
will call you back but you can leave your number."
The sheriff's office has watched the video along with a second video in which a 16-year-old girl claims she was molested by Stair when she belonged to the church.
Again, no charges have been filed against the minister.
Copyright 2017 WCSC. All rights reserved (both via Mike Cooper, DXLD)
