WINFIELD - Putnam County's sheriff says a local pastor accused of sexually abusing female relatives might have used his position to gain church members trust.
Paul D. Smeltzer, 40, formerly of Scott Depot, has been arrested twice in the past year on charges that he sexually abused female relatives: first in May 2007, and again last Thursday.
Smeltzer "was involved with" church activities in Kanawha and Putnam counties, Putnam Sheriff Mark Smith said Tuesday. He worked as a pastor at one of the churches.
"Many times, people who have this kind of inclination, they get in a position like that to perpetrate their crime," Smith said.
Smith would not name the churches where Smeltzer worked, saying that would "make the churches a victim, too."
But according to published reports, Smeltzer became a part-time pastor in December 2006 at First Christian Church of St. Albans Disciples of Christ.
A man who answered at the church Tuesday afternoon quickly hung up the phone after Smeltzer's name was mentioned.
Smeltzer also "had some kind of computer business," Smith said.
In his most recent arrest, Smeltzer is accused of taping himself sexually abusing three relatives who were staying at his house on McCloud Road in Scott Depot. The girls are now between the ages of 7 and 9.
When he was arrested last week, Smeltzer was living on Washington Street East in Charleston, according to court papers. He is charged with three counts each of first-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse by a parent or guardian.
Last May, Smeltzer was arrested in Putnam County after a different female relative told police he sexually assaulted her when she was between the ages of 6 and 7, and again when she was between the ages of 12 and 13.
Last week, a Putnam grand jury indicted him on charges related to those allegations. But prosecutors dismissed the indictment after police discovered new evidence that more girls were victimized, Smith said.
The prosecutors hope to reindict Smeltzer on all the charges combined, Smith said.
According to a criminal complaint, a Putnam sheriff's deputy seized computer equipment from Smeltzer's home in Scott Depot. A team from the FBI analyzed the computer.
"Found on the computer was homemade video showing three young girls sleeping in a bed," the complaint stated. "The video also shows a man's hand and arm pulling away the covers, pulling the girls' underwear to the side, and [sexually abusing them]."
Smeltzer's wife identified Smeltzer's hand, arm and jewelry in the video, the complaint stated. The tape depicted a bedroom in their home and was made some time between November 2003 and April 2007.
Smeltzer will likely face more charges because federal agents are investigating him for child pornography, Smith said.
Smith asked parents whose children might have been in contact with Smeltzer to speak with their children. Anyone with information can call the department at 586-0256.
"These last three victims did not come forward. We discovered them," Smith said. "As in other cases like this, there are other victims out there. We'd like them to come forward."
Smeltzer had worked at churches in California before moving to West Virginia with his family in 2003, according to an article published in the Gazette when Smeltzer became pastor at the church in St. Albans.
In California, Smeltzer served as a leader for the student ministry at Community Bible Church in Mira Mesa. In 2002, he graduated from the Southern California Bible College and Seminary in El Cajon. He then was a director of children's ministry at Calvary Chapel Mira Mesa.
After moving to West Virginia, Smeltzer played guitar for two years at Foundations Community Church, according to the article.
Smeltzer is being held on a $300,000 bond at Western Regional Jail.
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