LaPorte Pastor Facing Sexual Battery Charges

A LaPorte County pastor accused of inappropriately touching a female parishoner has been charged with sexual battery

77 year-old Curtis Southwood, who serves as the pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in LaPorte, is accused of touching the woman on several occasions. According to the Times of Northwest Indiana, one incident happened during a Thanksgviving dinner at the church. The victim was on the phone with her mother when Southwood walked up to her and allegedly put his hand down her shirt, according to court documents. 

Southwood has denied the allegations and said the woman is like a family member to him. His next court date is set for early July.