Church founder 'abused children as young as 11 and young adults over four decades'
A CHURCH founder sexually abused children and young adults over a span of four decades, police said.
Henry Lee Porter Sr, 72, is a self-proclaimed bishop and was charged yesterday with sexual battery of a child after Sarasota police spoke to multiple accusers.
He founded the Westcoast Center for Human Development and detectives only began investigating last October after a video called 'Art of Manipulation – My survival of Molestation' was posted on Facebook.
The creator of the video was interviewed by police and alleged the sexual abuse started when he was 15 and lasted until he was 21.
The abuse reportedly took place in the "Inner Office", which was described as an internal structure of the center.
He told police the abuse included masturbation, performing sexual acts and sex.
He added that other alleged victims had contacted him for support.
Police went on to interview two other accusers, and one said the abuse started when they were 11.
He alleged the abuse happened at Porter's family home and it also happened in the inner office.
'DECADES OF ABUSE'
Porter allegedly made the victim enter his private office from another entrance.
The arrest affidavit read: "That way Porter was not seen bringing a child back toward the inner/private office.
"Once the sexual acts concluded [redacted] would have to leave in the same manner."
The abuse reportedly happened during school hours, or immediately before or after church services.
A third accuser told police the abuse started when he was 12 after his father abandoned them at the Westcoast Center for Human Development.
He alleged Porter groomed by "touching him" before he was forced on an air mattress in the inner office and touched inappropriately.
Porter allegedly told the accuser that if he told anyone then no would believe him, including the police, and that he depended on the 'bishop' for food and shelter.
The accuser described similar abuse and going through a separate entrance into the inner office.
Police interviewed eight others who told them of similar experiences.
Once the sexual acts concluded [redacted] would have to leave in the same manner.
Porter's arrest affidavit said police found more than 20 "similar fact victims who provided statements to law enforcement outlining the abuse they suffered by Henry Lee Porter Sr".
It added: "The alleged sexual abuse occurred while they attended Westcoast Center for Human Development; on mission trips throughout America, and abroad on church sponsored trips.
"In summary, this current investigation, along with the two prior investigations, demonstrated more than four decades of children and adults suffering sexual abuse by Henry Lee Porter Sr.”
This isn't the first time Porter has been embroiled in sexual abuse allegations, Fox 13 reports.
In 1990 and between 2001 to 2002, Sarasota police investigated similar claims against Porter.
The police department received an anonymous letter in 2001 investigation identifying 40 possible victims.
Porter has denied the allegations against him and will be held without bond after appearing in court yesterday.
His attorney Kevin Griffith told the judge: "As you know or may not know Bishop Porter is a prominent member of the community and has been for decades.
"He vigorously denies the allegations against him.”
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