Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Chandler Sunday-school teacher arrested

PHOENIX —

A Chandler Sunday school teacher has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 5-year-old girl at church.

Terry Greenwood, 62, a teacher at Chandler United Methodist Church, told police he molested the girl and made her perform a sex act, police reports show.

Greenwood was being held without bond in Maricopa County Jail.

The alleged victim’s mother heard her daughter talking about the sex acts, according to the police report. During a police interview, the girl detailed the contact she said she had with Greenwood and said the incidents happened more than once at the church, reports show.

In a tape-recorded phone interview with the victim’s mother, Greenwood admitted exposing himself to the girl twice, and said he made a mistake and he was ashamed of it, according to police reports.

He blamed his actions on medication he was taking for high blood pressure, that he has erectile dysfunction and mental problems, the police report shows.

Greenwood was arrested Dec. 21 on suspicion of child molestation, sexual conduct with a minor and indecent exposure.

Greenwood admitted touching the girl inappropriately Dec. 9 at the church, and then, on another day, having oral sex and exposing himself in an empty classroom and an art room, police said.

Greenwood said he knew he could take advantage of the child because of her age and because she trusted him and she would not tell because she was always so quiet, Chandler Detective John Beekman wrote in a police report.

According to a police interview, Greenwood said that months earlier he also tried to inappropriately touch friends of his 11-year-old daughter.

The married father of two said he was ashamed of what he has done, the report said, but became curious after viewing child pornography and then felt titillated and sexually aroused when touching or trying to touch young girls.

At least one other victim has come forward, according to the report.

Calls to the church Monday afternoon were not immediately returned.

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