[Archived] Church Leader Arrested for Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Information Office
2003 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.838.4636

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 21, 2006 8:15 A.M.

Alexandria Church Leader Arrested for Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile

Alexandria police have charged a local church leader with Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile for sexual contact with an Alexandria girl. The suspect, Richard R. Bates, 33, is a deacon with St. John’s Baptist Church in Alexandria.

On April 12, the victim’s family contacted police and through investigation, detectives determined that the suspect had sexual contact with the victim when she was 14 years old. The contact occurred in the church between September 2005 and January 2006.

An arrest warrant was issued this week and Bates turned himself in yesterday at police headquarters. He is being held without bond at the Alexandria jail. He is a resident of 7200 Jaywick Avenue, Apt. 724, in Fort Washington, Md.

Investigation is continuing and police encourage anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Betty Sixsmith at 703.838.4711.

Note: A photo of the suspect appears below.

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Richard R. Bates