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North Carolina Pastor Faces Child Sex Abuse Charges

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A North Carolina pastor facing three child sex abuse charges has resigned from the Buncombe County church where he was head pastor.

Trent Brandon Holbert, 41, is charged with one count of indecent liberties with a child and two counts of statutory sex offense with a child between the ages of 6 and 15.

He was formerly head pastor of The Ridge Church in Black Mountain, N.C.

The church said in a statement signed by a church elder that Holbert has stepped down from his post.

“The care and protection of children and minors is a biblical and moral mandate that is taken seriously by the Ridge Church,” the statement said. “We do not condone such actions as the alleged, and our prayers are with the victims of any such abuse.”

The statement also read, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of our former head pastor and the families of all of those involved.”

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Detectives with the Special Victims Unit of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a Black Mountain residence May 18, arresting Holbert and seizing several electronic devices, local ABC affiliate WLOS reported.

He is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $300,000 bond, and in a video court appearance June 17 told the judge he has retained an attorney, Christianity Daily reported. 

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Anne Stych

Anne Stych is a writer in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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