Ex-Church Leader Charged

By Benita Y. Williams, The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Apr. 11–A local musician and former church leader was charged Tuesday with soliciting sex from someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Benjamin Robert Deane, 26, appeared in Johnson County Court on one count of electronic solicitation of a child under 16. He is accused of using the Internet on Monday to arrange a meeting for sex with a person he thought was a teenager but actually was a Johnson County sheriff’s deputy. Deane is free after posting $10,000 bond.

Deane had been a member of the band Satellite Soul and was program coordinator of Heartland.k10 church since August 2003. A church official said Tuesday that he was no longer on staff.

According to the church Web site, Deane led the ministry teams that conducted the De Soto-based church’s Sunday services, which are held at Olathe Northwest High School, 23100 College Blvd.

“We are shocked and deeply troubled by what has happened,” associate pastor Tim Suttle, a fellow band member, said in a written statement.

“Right now our immediate concern is for our church family, and we are taking steps to communicate openly with them and begin the healing process within our community.”

Deane could not be reached for comment.

To reach Benita Y. Williams, call (816) 234-7714 or send e-mail to bwilliams@kcstar.com.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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