CLEVELAND — A local pastor, who is facing several charges as part of a human trafficking investigation, is being held on $100,000 bond.
64-year-old Rev. Dr. Randolph Brown, pastor of The Inner-City Missionary Baptist Church, made his first court appearance in the case Thursday morning.
Brown was charged earlier this week with two counts of compelling prostitution.
Also charged in the case is 21-year-old Joyce Richmond. She faces two counts of trafficking in persons and three counts of compelling prostitution.
She also appeared in court Thursday morning where the judge ordered a $100,000 bond.
Both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. They're due back in court on Tuesday, March 3 for a pre-trial hearing at 9 a.m.
According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Richmond exploited three underage teenage girls who ran away from home. Court documents reveal that Brown is accused of paying to have sex with two of the girls, one aged 14 and another aged 15, in 2018.
“The allegations in this case are particularly troubling given Mr. Brown’s role as a spiritual leader in the community,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Vance Callander. “This investigation should however make clear that traffickers will be held accountable, regardless of the positions they occupy.”
3News reached out to the Inner-City Missionary Baptist Church, and they issued the following statement.
"The Inner-City Missionary Baptist Church has been stunned, hurt, and rocked by allegations filed against Pastor Randy Brown. We delayed commenting or putting out a press release as we found it necessary to deal with the pain and to process all the events that have occurred.
These allegations are very serious and deeply disturbing. If the allegations of compelling prostitution of a minor are true, it would be a tragic betrayal of our standards.
The Church has not received any communication from any law enforcement agency concerning this matter. The Church, as a religious organization, does not have the investigative tools available to law enforcement agencies. Nor can the Church substitute for the courts in adjudicating legal claims.
The Church has great faith in the judicial system to determine the truth of these claims. Nevertheless, the Church takes seriously its responsibility to hold its members accountable for their conduct with respect of the laws of God and Man.
Our option as a church is limited but we are placing Pastor Randy Brown on unpaid administrative and pastoral leave pending an investigation. The members of Inner-City Missionary Baptist Church would appreciate if we can be allowed time to heal as we go through this hurtful and painful situation. Thank you and please respect our privacy at this time."
The Cuyahoga County Regional Human Trafficking Task Force urges if you or anyone you know that may have been a victim or have information to share regarding Richmond or Brown, to please contact the task force at 216-443-6085.
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