CLEVELAND — The Cleveland pastor accused of paying underage girls to engage in sexual conduct pleaded not guilty in court Thursday.
Pastor Randolph Brown’s attorney asked a judge for leniency toward his client.
“We would ask for a low bond in this particular matter. My client is 65 years old. As the court can see, he is on a cane,” Wesley Dumas said. “He is a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area and he has absolutely no record.”
The pastor is charged with two felony counts of compelling prostitution for his alleged involvement with two underage teens.
The underage girls were 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged sexual encounters.
Brown and his co-defendant, 20-year-old Joyce Richmond, were both given a $100,000 bond.
If Brown posts bond, a judge ordered him wear a GPS monitor and not to leave his home. He is also not allowed to have any contact with his victims.
Richmond also pleaded not guilty to several charges.
She is the woman accused of providing underage girls to Randy Brown.
The Ohio Attorney General accuses Richmond of exploiting three underage girls who ran away from home.
If convicted, Richmond faces an automatic ten to fifteen years behind bars.
Brown and Richmond are both scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, March 3.
Inner-City Missionary Baptist Church, where Brown is still listed as the lead pastor, posted a short statement online acknowledging Brown’s arrest but wouldn’t comment on the allegations. The statement reads:
We are aware of the indictment and arrest of Pastor Randy Brown. We would like to thank the media and other concerned individuals who have reached out to us for comment. At this time, we do not have a response or comment. Inner-City Missionary Baptist Church will be providing an official statement in the near future. Thank you for your consideration and time.
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