My sympathy to all victims and their families. You are continually in my prayers.
Please know that every effort has been made to protect your privacy. It is for this reason that in 2003 a document from the Ezra Church of God suggested I be consulted as to victims made privy to me who others might desire to contact directly. This same document acknowledged that some victims may wish to maintain anonymity.
It appears a purported victim, who by his admission was an adult when trysts took place, is attempting to deflect criticism for his lack of action – again, lack of action by his admission. Indeed, a competent adult, had he gone to authorities, it reasonably may be presumed that a number of adolescent victims would have been spared the anguish they have endured.
With regard to the suggestion that I was derelict, that I did not inform authorities, please note my letter below to the Washington, DC, CBS affiliate WUSA. The actions of their reporter and cameraman the night of March 18, 2010, are evidence of the ineptness and insolence of too many of today’s journalists. The fact of the matter is I spoke to [at the time Chief Deputy] Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Morrogh when allegations first surfaced here in Virginia in November 2006 (which conversation was followed by an investigation leading to an arrest) and while serving in Illinois I conferred with the Franklin County Sheriff, the late Bill Wilson, regarding allegations which came to my attention there (though in Illinois the statute of limitations had run).
With respect to the Ministerial Council of the Church of God, Inc., the hearts of the ministers who make up this Ministerial Council are grieved as a consequence of the suffering each victim has endured and continues to endure. As to Pastor Tommy Shelton’s relationship with this organization, I trust the foregoing expression of sentiment is not soured when I say we too were groomed, deceived and taken advantage of. In the time leading up to his ordination by our organization, Pastor Shelton was not forthright with those in the Ministerial Council's leadership. Regarding his past, he was manipulative and misleading. By giving the impression he had been mistreated by some in Illinois, he was able to play upon the sympathy he generated toward himself. It appears he did not withhold information that accusations of some kind had been brought against him in Illinois. He pronounced, however, upon the fact that these allegations were reviewed by law enforcement and not pursued. The impression left was that the allegations were motivated by jealousy and were unfounded.
I was serving as secretary-treasurer of the Ministerial Council when Tommy Shelton mailed me his 2001 minister's card in March of 2001. A responsibility of the secretary-treasurer of our Ministerial Council is to periodically issue each minister a "Minister's Card" which states the minister is "in good standing with the Ministerial Council of the Church of God." That is to say the minister is in good standing with the ministers of the organization. Pastor Tommy Shelton had been in good standing with the ministers of the organization as of late fall of 2000 when the 2001 Minister’s Card was mailed to him.
I have not attempted to "bring down" Tommy Shelton. Actions I have taken have been intended to protect potential victims and to help bring Tommy Shelton to repentance and amendment of his life according to the will of God.
My letter to WUSA follows:
March 25, 2010
Mr. Fred D’Ambrosi, Director, News & Information Center
WUSA 9
4100 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20016-2810
Dear Mr. D’Ambrosi:
This correspondence follows and makes reference to our telephone conversation of last Friday morning, March 19, 2010, regarding a news segment WUSA 9 broadcast I believe both Thursday night and Friday morning, March 18 and 19, 2010, and published in video format on the internet at the site which follows.
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=98727&catid=158A libelous inference is directed at me in this news segment suggesting malfeasance on my part. Once again I am asking for a written apology and an editing of the segment.
The fact of the matter is that I spoke to [at the time Chief Deputy] Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Morrogh when allegations first surfaced here in Virginia in November 2006 (which conversation was followed by the present investigation) and while serving in Illinois I conferred with Franklin County, Illinois, Sheriff Bill Wilson regarding allegations which came to my attention there (though in Illinois the statute of limitations had run).
Your reporter and cameraman appeared at the front door of my home Thursday night, March 18. On the news segment your reporter implies misconduct on my part despite documents she displayed on the news segment which plainly attest to the contrary, documents obtained online I presume from subpoenaed materials in a Massachusetts Federal District Court Case.
Apparently the reporter was influenced by a man, Duane Clem, who came under my pastoral discipline when I served the congregation of the Ezra Church of God in West Frankfort, Illinois. Mr. Clem wrote on a blog this past weekend.
"The reporter in the video actually asked that at my suggestion. It really infuriates me that he was such a coward after so proudly stating in that letter that he had information on 6 boys who had been molested."Mr. D’Ambrosi, I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Pastor Glenn T. Dryden