Three men associated with Salisbury ministry face child sex abuse charges
In November of 2023, the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center began an investigation into Jessie Lee Scott and Major Leslie Purnell Sr. regarding the sexual abuse of a minor, which revealed that Scott and Purnell sexually abused the child several years prior.
On Feb. 2024, the investigative findings were presented to a grand jury in Wicomico County. Both were charged with the following crimes: Rape 1st and 2nd degree, sexual abuse of a minor, multiple sexual offenses, sexual solicitation of a minor, indecent exposure and assault, the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center said in a news release.
According to the release, the investigation revealed an additional victim of sexual abuse. This victim then identified the person who abused him as Alonzo Leon Parker Jr. This investigation culminated with the arrest of Parker Jr. on April 4, 2024.
Parker Jr. was charged with the following crimes: Child abuse: custodian, multiple counts of 3rd degree sexual offense, multiple counts of 4th degree sexual offense, multiple counts of 2nd degree assault, perverted practice and sodomy, the release stated.
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Both Scott and Purnell continue to be held at the Wicomico County Detention Center, while Parker has been released after posting a $25,000 bond set by a District Court Judge.
The investigation revealed that all three defendants were affiliated for several years with “New Dimension Family Ministries” located at 1907 Jersey Road in Salisbury. As a result, they routinely had access to minor children, the release stated.
Anyone with information that may be related to this investigation, or other potential crimes, is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division at 410-548-4898.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Child sex charges filed vs. three associated with Salisbury ministry