Six women have filed a civil lawsuit in Craighead County alleging church officials allowed a former children’s pastor in Jonesboro to sexually abuse girls for years despite repeated warnings and evidence presented to leadership.
The lawsuit names Anthony Michael Waller, a former pastor at Refuge Church of the Assemblies of God, along with regional and national Assemblies of God organizations and former church leadership.
According to the complaint, Waller allegedly groomed and abused children for approximately 15 years while serving in the church’s youth and children’s programs.
The suit alleges Waller secretly installed hidden cameras in church bathrooms and showers and recorded explicit footage involving children. Plaintiffs claim girls were directed to perform “stretching exercises” in front of hidden cameras.
The complaint further alleges church leaders were warned about Waller’s behavior as early as 2000 after information was reportedly shared by the Jonesboro Police Department.
According to the lawsuit, several plaintiffs and their families also reported discovering hidden cameras in 2004, but church leadership allegedly failed to contact law enforcement or child protection authorities.
Waller was eventually arrested in 2015 after investigators discovered more than 400,000 images of child sexual abuse material in his possession. He was later sentenced to life in prison on child rape charges.
The lawsuit names the Arkansas District Council of the Assemblies of God, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, former pastor Charles Michael Glover and insurance carriers as defendants.
Attorneys representing the women allege church officials chose to protect the organization’s reputation instead of protecting children and are seeking damages and institutional reforms through the lawsuit.
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