Blog on the Lillypad
Monday, March 01, 2004
 | THIS JUST IN: Another IFB staff member jailed for molesting children
From the Longview News-Journal, February 29, 2004: Local: Former principal accused of molesting 4 students By JOHN LYNCH |
HENDERSON — A former Christian school principal from Longview was behind bars Saturday night, accused of molesting four students at his Rusk County home.
The charges against 42-year-old Russell Hirner came after an overnight investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff James Stroud said deputies have identified seven victims who say Hirner forced them to touch him at his home near Kilgore.
"He was enticing children to touch him in some manner for sexual pleasure," he said.
Hirner, a former principal of Longview Baptist Temple's Longview Baptist Academy, was being held without bond in the Rusk County Jail on four counts of sexual performance of a child, Stroud said. He said investigators could file more charges as soon as Monday.
Deputies were working with the Rusk County Children's Advocacy Center to question the children, which could contribute to a lengthy inquiry, the sheriff said.
"It's a slow process, but the best process for the victim," Stroud said.
The investigation began after the church brought the first victim to Longview police late Friday, with deputies working through the night to identify more young girls who have molested by Hirner, Stroud said.
One of the victims is now 21, but the girls were in their pre-teens and teens when Hirner molested them, the sheriff said, and investigators believe Hirner has been abusing girls for at least 10 years. Stroud said Hirner took advantage of his personal relationship with the girls and their families.
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