Warrant: Ex-pastor molested, raped 11-year-old girl

Michael Hill, 52, was arrested in Volusia County on Duval County warrant

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax has obtained a copy of the Duval County warrant recently served against a former Kansas pastor, detailing the sexual assault allegations against him.

Michael Wayne Hill, 52, was arrested Jan. 8 in Volusia County and charged with capital sexual battery on a child for a crime that occurred more than 20 years ago. The arrest was part of a sting set up by Jacksonville police at a Daytona Beach restaurant.

The victim, now an adult, claimed Hill raped her in Jacksonville in 1990 when she was 11 years old. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office investigators believe there might be other victims.

According to the warrant, the girl, who reported the crime to police in 2002, said Hill was a friend of her parents. He came to their house in Jacksonville to pick up pet supplies, and she told police while he was there Hill started talking about sex and then fondled her. She said he left and came back an hour later and molested her again and then raped her.

It's unclear why the victim waited to report the crime and why police waited until now to react. But local attorneys say even though the assault is years old, the type of crime Hill committed eliminates a statute of limitations.

According to the arrest report, the victim recently called Hill, who was then a pastor in Kansas, and during several calls asked why he molested her. The report said he wanted to talk to her about the incident face to face. She arranged to meet him at a restaurant in Daytona Beach on Jan. 8.

JSO and Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputies monitored the meeting at Panera Bread on International Speedway Boulevard. When Hill showed up -- with his wife -- he was unaware that authorities were there, monitoring and recording the conversation.
According to the report, Hill apologized for what he did and never denied the allegations.

The wife was questioned and released. Hill was arrested shortly after.

Hill is being held without bond on a charge of sexual battery of a child. His arraignment is set for Feb. 4.

Hill was pastor of the Chanute 7th Day Adventist Church, in Chanute, Kansas. He has been removed since the allegations came to light. News4Jax was told the Adventist ministry did several background checks on Hill over the last 16 years but nothing was found. Hill was also a pastor of at least one church in North Carolina.


About the Author

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.

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