Joseph Kennedy Ragland had his eye on a sixteen-year-old member of his church, the Book of Acts Church of God in Christ Jesus in Angier, North Carolina. Ragland told the child’s parents that the girl needed counseling. On April 11, Ragland had the girl stay the night over at his house. Ragland is married, so that visit, of itself probably did not seem questionable, especially since Ragland was such a trusted member of the community.

But, during the visit, things became very questionable. In fact, things became quite dreadful that night. There have been no public reports as to where Ragland’s wife, Sonya, was during this time. I am only guessing in my belief that she was probably gone during the events here transcribed. According to the search warrant application, Ragland, 47 years old, began his night with the menacious act of giving the girl a cup of beer and a straw, of which he instructed her to partake. Then events grew more adversely as he brought up a pornographic video on his computer for him and the teen to watch together.

While groping the girl, Ragland told her that he wanted to do her a favor. The girl, realizing the nature of the "favor," refused. But Ragland persisted in his molestation. Despite the overwhelmed girl’s protests, Ragland removed her clothes and raped her. Afterward Ragland went to the bathroom. The reverend rapist then told the girl he was going to order pizza.

When he came back to the room, the girl was dressed again. Ragland told her to remove her clothing. Again, she refused. Ragland then sodomized the girl. Afterward, he went back to the bathroom. This time, when Ragland returned from the bathroom, he stripped the sheets from the bed, sprayed some air freshener and put the bedclothes into the washing machine.

Ragland ordered a pizza, which was delivered at 9:42 that night. After eating, Ragland raped the girl again. The pastor told the girl not to tell anyone. He said if she did that he would "hit her so hard that she would need to wear a wig." He also told her that many people in the church would suffer should she relate the horrifying incidents of that night.

I don’t know how much harm the people of the church are going to suffer, but I doubt very seriously they will suffer any more than the young victim of the pastor’s lustful and deviate desires. I don’t doubt for one moment that the pastor will continue to have his supporters. That is nearly always the case in situations like this. Especially when someone so trusted and highly-revered is found to have a dark and sinister side. Consider how one member of his congregation once referred to his personage:

Pastor Ragland is such a wonderful man. He gives, and gives and gives and then he keeps on giving. I have never met anyone like him! He will give you his very last, the clothes off his back, shoe off his feet and on and on! He has been my pastor for 15 years! He is always there for me no matter what the situation. He always has a word for me – a word of love or a word of discipline. I trust him and have so much confidence that He is a man of God and he loves God with his whole heart! He is certainly a man after God’s own heart!

The words drip hauntingly with irony, don’t they? Yet, it can most likely be said that some will continue to consider Ragland with similar sentiments despite hearing the awful things he has done. I hope I am being pessimistic. I hope I am wrong and that people can accept the truth and deal with it instead of ignoring and pointing the blame and anger in every direction but the one where it belongs.

Joseph K. Ragland has been charged with second-degree rape, second-degree sex offense, and sex offense – parental role. He was released from jail on a $35,000 bond.

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1. Doug Davis, Youth Pastor, Child Rapist
2. Weleetka Pastor Accused of Attacking Children in Fellowship Hall
3. Daniel Pedroza Jr. – Another Perverted Youth Pastor
4. The Perverted Pastor Phenomenon
5. Daniel Joseph Holdren Loved Church Fellowship