Two PCA Pastors Arrested In Separate Cases

Two educating elders from the Presbyterian Church in America are going through legal expenses in separate instances. The primary case entails a pastor in Florida who was the motive force in a deadly automobile crash. The second case entails a pastor in Mississippi who has been charged with statutory rape and different associated offenses. 

Nicholas Betancourt faces 11 expenses stemming from a deadly automobile crash on February 28 the place authorities decided he was driving underneath the affect. In response to a report from Fox 13, Betancourt was arrested on February 27 for driving underneath the affect. He was launched at 9 a.m., on February 28, and later that day, he was driving on a suspended license when he was concerned in a crash. The crash killed Dana Rivera, 36, and significantly injured three of her youngsters, a 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 15-year-old.

In response to the Tampa Bay Times, Betancourt acquired remedy for accidents at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, the place a urine pattern confirmed cocaine, amphetamines, oxycodone and benzodiazepines in his system. He’s now charged with vehicular murder and 10 different offenses associated to driving whereas underneath the affect and the possession of managed substances.

Betancourt beforehand served on the pastoral employees at Christ Central Presbyterian Church. The church launched this assertion following his arrest: 

We had been devastated to listen to concerning the arrest of our former assistant pastor, Nicholas Betancourt, and the circumstances surrounding his automobile accident on February 28 resulting in the demise of a lady and critical damage to her youngsters. Nicholas was employed by our church till his resignation on January 24 of this yr, and his official pastoral relationship was dissolved by the presbytery on February 8. Whereas we now not have any official relationship with Nick, our ideas and prayers are with the victims of this automobile accident and all of the households concerned. In occasions like this, sacred scripture directs our ideas to our merciful God.

In a separate case, on Tuesday, March 11, Pastor Christopher Willett of the First Presbyterian Church in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, was arrested and charged with statutory rape, sexual battery, unnatural intercourse, laptop luring of an individual, and baby pornography. 

The police additionally executed search warrants on the time of his arrest. In response to the Clarion Ledger, the arrest was the results of a sufferer coming ahead to authorities. Willett is at the moment being held within the Copiah County Jail with out bond.

Willett was ordained by North Florida Presbytery in 2016 when he accepted a name to serve at Pinewood Presbyterian Church in Middleburg, Florida. In 2017, Willett moved to Mississippi to function senior pastor of Columbia Presbyterian Church. In 2020, he was known as to First Presbyterian Church in Crystal Springs. Earlier than coming into the ministry, Willett served within the U.S. Air Drive. 

The church is a member of Grace Presbytery. ByFaith contacted the acknowledged clerk of Grace Presbytery and confirmed that presbytery officers are conscious of the scenario and have known as a gathering for March 25 to handle it. The E book of Church Order requires at the least 10 days’ discover to convene a presbytery assembly (BCO 13-12). ByFaith additionally spoke with the elders on the church who stated they’re praying for everybody who has been impacted by this example.