A long-serving pastor in Tennessee has been arrested and charged with allegedly sexually abusing children.

WBIR reports that Dwight Daniel Suttles, 69, was booked in Sevier County on Tuesday after a complaint sparked an investigation by the Pigeon Forge Police Department in September. Suttles is accused of abusing at least five children under the age of 13.

Suttles has served as the pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge since 2009.

According to court documents, the abuse began in 2017 with two children and continued over a two-year period. Between November 2018 and 2021, Suttles allegedly had “sexual contact” with another child, as well as with another child between June 2018 and 2021. Additionally, during the period from August 2018 to September 2023, another victim reported being abused by Suttles.

Suttles is facing a six-count indictment that includes one charge of rape of a child and five counts of aggravated sexual battery.

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[Feature Photo via Sevier County SO]