FORT WASHINGTON, Md. -- Three leaders of a Maryland church, including one man who is a US Capitol police officer, are accused of sexually abusing four teenagers sometime between 2001 and 2008, Prince George's County police said.
All four of the female victims were enrolled in a program run by the Oxon Hill Assembly of Jesus Christ in Fort Washington, authorities said. The incidents involving the head pastor, a leading member of the church and a minister who is also a police officer, happened between 2001 and 2008 when the victims were between the ages of 15 and 18.
Police said at the time the victims were in a program designed to provide living accommodations in the homes of church members and education classes at the church for at-risk youth.
The interactions happened at various locations, including at the suspects' homes, various parks and at the church. Victims in the case came forward as adults and reported the incidents.
Authorities said the head pastor of the church, 67-year-old Joshua William Wright, 40-year-old Donald Jackson, a leading member at the church and 46-year-old William Joshua Wright, a minister at the church, who was also a US Capitol police officer were all charged with child abuse and varying sex offenses. All three of the men are related.
The police officer has been placed on non-duty status, authorities confirmed.
Detectives are encouraging any others who encountered any type of abuse when they were enrolled in the CHOP program to please come forward. The CHOP program ended in 2011.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Unit at (301) 772-4930. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.)
