Sand Mountain Reporter

FORT PAYNE — A DeKalb County preacher charged with the sexual abuse of a boy faces having his probation revoked.

The preacher, 67-year-old Billy Masters, was arrested in May and charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, apparently a member of his congregation.

Masters was pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in the Kilpatrick area.

At the time of his arrest in May, Masters was on probation after having served time on a 2001 conviction for the sodomy of three young males.

Deputy District Attorney Bob Johnston said that as part of a plea deal, the most recent charge will be dropped, but Masters’ probation on the earlier conviction revoked.

That means Masters must serve out the earlier sentence, at least 12 years.

Masters has been held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail since his arrest in May.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

Tel: 256-840-3000 | Email

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