LAWRENCEBURG — A misdemeanor charge was dismissed Tuesday morning against a former youth minister and Richmond city building inspector accused of molesting two members of his Anderson County youth group.
Gordon H. Lunceford, 47, appeared Tuesday before Anderson Circuit Judge Charles Hickman for a pretrial conference on charges that Lunceford molested two teenage members of the Lawrenceburg First Baptist Church youth group while serving as minister to the group in 1992.
Lunceford’s attorney, Frankfort lawyer Guthrie True, filed a motion to dismiss a charge of second-degree sexual abuse against his client on the grounds that the statute of limitations on the charge had expired.
True said because the statute of limitations on the charge had expired in 2003, prosecutors were barred from charging Lunceford with the offense.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Laura Donnell, who prosecutes cases in Anderson, Shelby and Spencer counties, did not oppose the dismissal.
True also filed a motion asking Hickman to dismiss one of the six third-degree rape charges against Lunceford, claiming the indictment had charged Lunceford twice for the same alleged offense.
Donnell disagreed with True’s assessment, and has until Nov. 3 to file an official response to the motion, but stated her opposition in court as well.
“We actually have a fairly good calendar of events in this case,” Donnell said.
True is seeking to obtain therapy records for one of the victims in the case, and Hickman agreed to have the court obtain the records, but he will review them before deciding whether they will be released to attorneys.
Lunceford faces six counts of third-degree rape, five counts of third-degree sodomy and one count of first-degree sexual abuse.
The alleged assaults took place between April and November 1992, while Lunceford was youth minister at Lawrenceburg First Baptist Church.
He also served as a youth minister at other churches in Franklin and Madison counties, Kentucky State Police said after he surrendered to police June 5. Representatives from both First Baptist Church and Rosedale Baptist Church in Richmond told the Register in July that Lunceford had served briefly with their congregations as well.
Lunceford still is working for the city of Richmond as a building inspector, but did take a temporary leave of absence following his indictment, former City Manager David Evans said in July.
A Nov. 3 pretrial conference is scheduled, but Hickman excused Lunceford from attending.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
Local News
Misdemeanor charge dismissed against former youth minister
- Local News
-
-
BREAKING NEWS: Madison County Sheriff Jerry Combs dead of heart attack
Coroner confirms Madison County Sheriff Jerry Combs has died.
-
Learning under the sun
Students in Stephen Rupard’s fourth-grade class said they can remember when the wetland full of green frogs, dragonfly larvae and tadpoles was just a dip in the gently rolling hills behind their school.
-
Dry cleaner burglary suspect is charged in two other cases
A man charged Friday with breaking into Jack’s Cleaners on Water Street by smashing a window with a tire iron has been charged with two other burglaries in which a similar method was used to gain entry.
-
Richmond burglary reports for May 14-18
Register Staff Report
The following burglaries, reported May 14-18, are being investigated by Richmond police
A resident of Wesley Court reported a Wilson bow with arrows and an unknown brand shotgun had been stolen from her residence sometime in the previous two weeks. Estimated loss: $800.
A resident of Foxhaven Drive repo -
Laurence named Register publisher
Ann Laurence has been named publisher of the Richmond Register, succeeding Nick Lewis, who held the post for the previous eight and a half years.
Keith Blevins, Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. chief operating officer announced Laurence’s appointment Monday. -
Woman sues Super 7 over staircase collapse
One of the women injured in a staircase collapse last month at a local motel is suing the business in Madison Circuit Court. -
Veterans’ benefits workshop June 20 at Morning Pointe
Veterans and/or their spouses or widows are invited to attend a special veterans’ benefits workshop Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Morning Pointe Senior Care Community, 1400 Gibson Bay Drive in Richmond
-
Union City Day
Rainy weather didn’t dampen the spirit of those who turned out for Union City Day on Saturday.
-
State champs get their rings at YMCA breakfast
Two months may have passed, but Madison County continues to celebrate the state basketball championship won by the Madison Central boys team.
Team members were presented championship rings while their cheerleaders received pendants Saturday morning during a breakfast at the Telford YMCA attended by nearly 300. -
Sand artist, pastry chef wow audience at cake expo
Joe Castillo dazzled audiences while performing at Eastern Kentucky University’s Center for the Arts Saturday during the Grace with Taste Cake Expo.
Castillo, along with pastry chef Stella Parks, were the entertainment acts at the expo early in the afternoon. - More Local News Headlines
-
BREAKING NEWS: Madison County Sheriff Jerry Combs dead of heart attack
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
