Texas pastor tried to coerce high school girl into stripping for him

Texas pastor Jeffrey Dale Williams of the Church of Corinth was arrested and jailed Wednesday on charges of "attempted sexual performance of a child" for trying to coerce an underaged girl into taking off her clothes. According to Dallas-Ft. Worth's WFAA, Williams' attempted seduction of the high schooler was captured in a two-hour audio recording.

"He tried to entice her to take her clothes off so he could see her naked body," said Corinth Police Captain Greg Wilkerson.

Police said that they were contacted by a social worker from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on April 4, three days after the recording was allegedly made. The victim was not named by the department.

Dallas-Ft. Worth's CBS affiliate, Channel 11 carried a statement from Church of Corinth spokesperson David Fink on Thursday morning.

“We have no knowledge of nor any reason to suspect any inappropriate behavior,” Fink said. "We intend to and will fully investigate the allegations, and we will fully cooperate with the authorities. Our prayers go out to this family of our church.”

Capt. Wilkerson said that Corinth Police detectives are looking into the possibility that there may be another victim.

"There may be an additional victim out there," Wilkerson said. "We're trying to contact her now."

He told the Dallas Morning News that the attempted assault took place in the victim's home. Williams is currently being held in the Denton County Jail. The victim, said Wilkerson, is uninjured and "in a safe place."

He urged any other witnesses or possible victims to call the Corinth Police Department at 940-498-2017.

Watch video about this story, embedded via WFAA, below: