DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – A man linked to a now-closed Jacksonville church was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to capital sexual battery.
Jerome Teschendorf, 71, was the third defendant in an investigation into the Assembly of the Body of Christ Church on Old Kings Road. The church’s former pastor, Paul Dyal, had pleaded guilty to child abuse, and Vernon Williamson, another man linked to the church, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for capital sexual battery.
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JSO said the investigation began in September 2020 after it received a tip regarding possible sexual abuse.
“The investigation revealed both long-term sexual and physical abuse of minors in the church spanning a period of over thirty years,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Eight women shared their stories with News4JAX, saying they are survivors of mental, physical and emotional abuse from people at the Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ Church.
JSO said that through the course of the investigation, police “have identified and spoken to numerous victims and witnesses.” As a result, JSO said it believes there may be additional suspects.