Former Youth Pastor Arrested in California on Federal Charges Involving Sexual Activity with a Minor

BIRMINGHAM, AL—WILLIAM DAVID WEBB, 35, of Murrieta, California, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for transporting a minor across state lines for sexual activity. He was arrested on these charges in California on January 14, 2009 and given a bond on the federal charges. He remains in custody pending extradition from California to Alabama on outstanding state warrants. United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama, Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Mike Hale, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department announce that WEBB was charged in the one-count indictment filed December 30, 2008 and unsealed  today at U.S. District Court in Birmingham.

Count One of the indictment charges that in 2004 WEBB took a minor from the State of Alabama to the State of Oklahoma with the intent that the minor engage in sexual activity. At the time of the offense, WEBB was the youth pastor for Word of Life Church in Jefferson County, Alabama. 

The minimum sentence for this charge is not less than ten years up to life and a $250,000 fine.

“A minister is placed in a position of trust by his congregants. This position of trust is magnified when the minister is tasked with leading the youth of the church, and when that trust is violated and betrayed, it leaves deep scars. My office is proud to bring to justice those who violate such trust and commit criminal acts against a child. We will vigorously prosecute this case and others like it so that justice is served,” stated United States Attorney Alice H. Martin.  

“This case is an outstanding example of local and federal law enforcement working successfully together towards a common goal. Any child who is the victim of sexual abuse, as alleged in this case, is urged come forward and report it to the FBI or your local police department,” stated Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Special Agents of the FBI and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department worked together in the investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Laura D. Hodge is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.