Pastor accused in teen sex case
The pastor of a West Palm Beach- based Christian ministry had an alleged sexual relationship with a teenage girl who was a member of church, according to an arrest report.
Stephen Stubbs, 51, of Wellington, is accused of instigating sexual activity with the alleged victim beginningwhenshewas16 in 2009.
The girl, who joined the Restoration of Life church in the summer of 2008, then became Stubbs’ assistant and baby sitter of his children six months later, was first subjected to Stubbs’ inappropriate advances in the summer of 2009, deputies said.
That’s when Stubbs began asking the girl to dance for him, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. The girl, who at first refused, eventually agreed and Stubbs participated, touching the girl in a sexual manner, according to the report.
Twoweeks before the girl’s 17th birthday, Stubbs asked the girl about French kissing, andwould later kiss her at her17th birthday, deputies said.
Fromthere, Stubbs’ conduct with the girl allegedly escalated. While baby sitting for Stubbs and his wife, the girl was awakened at 2 a. m. by Stubbs, whowas sexually touching her, according to the arrest report.
Thegirl said she asked Stubbs to stop, but he didn’t. Instead, he continued and “turned the situation to a religious lesson ... to justify what hewas doing,” deputies said.
The report said that Stubbs would meet with the girl at a residence in West Palm Beach, where he would dance and have sexual contact with the girl.
In April 2012, the girl told a friend that she had sexual relations with Stubbs, not realizing that the friend had also had a sexual relationship with Stubbs, according to the arrest report.
According to the report, Stubbs had sexual contact with another teenage girl who was a member of the church.
Thewebsite for Restoration of Life Ministries International Inc., founded by Stubbs, describes him as a prophet as well as a pastor. He is also the CEO.
“Apostle Stubbs is an anointed preacher and gifted teacher,” thewebsite says. “He is certainly amanof vision with a heart for the people of God and lost souls.”
The site also says Stubbs is married and has three children.
He faces a charge of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to court records.
Stubbs was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail onWednesday. He remained in custody Thursday in lieu of a $ 50,000 bail, according to the Sheriff’s Office online booking blotter.