‘Fight Church’ pastor facing charges
A New York pastor known for running a fight club in his church pleaded not guilty to forcible touching Tuesday.
Paul Burress, 43, is charged with four counts of forcible touching, each a misdemeanor, after he allegedly groped three female victims at his Henrietta home. Each of the victims attended Burress’ church and one lived in his home for about two months, according to court documents.
Henrietta Town Judge John Pericak issued orders of protection for each of the three victims. Burress is scheduled to reappear in Henrietta Town Court on Oct. 26.
He was pastor at Victory Church in Henrietta for a number of years, though his name is no longer listed on the church website.
Burress has been a mixedmartial arts fighter, and promoted fight training and competitions at the church. In 2014, Burress was featured in a documentary film, Fight Church, about the confluence of mixedmartial arts and some branches of Christianity.
The alleged incidents happened between July 2016 and March 2017. In each, Burress is accused of touching the women in unwanted and sexual ways while they were in his hot tub.
One victim wrote in her deposition that, “I felt frozen in the discomfort of how he was holding me and how I was so suddenly put in this position.”
One victim said she had the courage to come forward after hearing reports of another alleged incident.
She stated that, “I never reported these incidents to the police because I knew that Paul knew a lot about my personal life and that many of his friends were police officers.”
She continued: “After hearing about other women who were victims of Paul, I then had the confidence to come forward about what he had done to me. I feel disgusted that Paul used his position with the church to take advantage of me.”
Burress did not respond to questions as he entered and exited court. Marc Duclos, Burress’ attorney, offered a short statement.
“The case is moving forward in the courts,” Duclos said, “and we have faith in the judge and the justice system.”
The Monroe County Sheriff ’s Office asks that any other potential victims contact them by calling 911.