Jackson- A former music minister is charged with molesting young boys.
Clinton and Jackson Police say John Langworthy, 49, is charged with 7 counts of gratifications of lust. They believe the incidents happened more than 20 years ago, and the victims were young boys between the ages of 8 and 12.
Langworthy faces up to 10 years in prison for each count. He's being held at the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond on a $500,000 bond.
Prosecutors say five of the cases happened in Jackson and the other two happened in Clinton. They say at least two of the cases happened inside a dorm room at Mississippi College. Prosecutors also allege the victims went to Daniel Memorial Church and First Baptist Church, both in Jackson, where Langworthy once worked and volunteered. Investigators say Langworthy befriended the victims' families by spending time with them during the holidays and then babysitting the boys he's accused of molesting.
Langworthy recently served as the music minister at Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton. He resigned a few months ago. Members say Langworthy confessed to the congregation in August that he had sexual indiscretions against boys in Texas and Mississippi.
Advertisement