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Indicted Arlington pastor is reinstated by church

Star-Telegram, USA
Apr. 20, 2005
Anthony Spangler, Star-Telegram Staff Writer
www.dfw.com

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Thursday April 21, 2005

ARLINGTON — The Rev. Terry Lee Hornbuckle, accused of sexually assaulting three of his female parishioners, was reinstated as bishop of his Arlington church this week, his attorney Mike Heiskell said Wednesday.

Agape Chrisitan Fellowship board members suspended him last month amid the allegations.

Hornbuckle, 43, of Grapevine, spoke on talk radio Wednesday, answering questions from callers on KHVN-970 AM — a Dallas-based African-American gospel station.

However, Hornbuckle nor church officials could not be reached for comment.

Members of the church attending services Wednesday night also declined to comment.

“The Lord informed us it would be best if we don’t talk about this right now,” said a man wearing a church staff badge on his shirt who did not want to be identified.

Hornbuckle was indicted last month on four charges of sexual assault. Three women have accused Hornbuckle of using his position in the church to gain their trust before sexually assaulting them. In two of the cases, the women claim to have been drugged before being assaulted.

He is also being sued by the women in civil court.

Special correspondent Caren Penland contributed to this report.