Crystal Springs residents weigh in on local pastor sex crimes
Mixed point of views is how many are feeling in Crystal Springs about this incident.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. (WLBT) - Many believe Christopher Willett, the man charged with the crimes, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for what he’s accused of.
Others of the Christian faith believe he should be forgiven for his sins.
“That is a disgrace. I hope he gets what’s coming to him,” said Margaret Jackson, who lives in Crystal Springs.
“Something is wrong with him. He calls himself a pastor, but he hasn’t been saved apparently. You have to be saved and called, and he’s probably not either one of those,” said another resident.
Members in the Crystal Springs community are outraged after learning what Willet is accused of.
Crystal Springs Police Chief Robert Thomas told us he’s facing multiple charges after a female victim came to the police station detailing sexual abuse.
After conducting an interview, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church was arrested.
“God forgives people for their sins. We all sin and we all fall short of the glory. We will not be perfect until we get to heaven,” said Valerie Gould, who lives in Crystal Springs.
Willet is now charged with statutory rape, sexual battery, unnatural intercourse, computer luring of a person, and child pornography.
“How can you teach that when you are sinning yourself? How can you teach about sin? These little kids can’t defend themselves. It just makes me upset”, said Jackson.
Others want to see the local pastor held accountable for his actions.
“Jail time obviously, like anybody else would. Jail time, fines, psychiatric help maybe,” another resident said.
“I’m not perfect, you’re not perfect, so they just got to get forgiven. But you’re still going to serve your time in prison,” Said Gould.
Chief Thomas says Willett is known to have guns in his home.
So, he was lured by law enforcement to city hall to discuss other matters so he could be arrested without incident.
Willett is currently being held at the Copiah County Jail with no bond.
The case is under investigation and additional charges are possible.
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