Ex-youth minister in Channelview accused of sexual assault of underage girl

HOUSTON – A former Channelview music minister has been arrested in New York City on sexual assault of a child charges in Harris County, and investigators believe there may be more victims.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said Jude Drayton Ramdial is a former youth minister at the Woodforest Worship Center Church of God, now known as the Victory Temple Church of God. He is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in the church youth group in 2005.

The girl, now an adult, reported the assault last spring to her pastor, who alerted Harris County sex crimes investigators.

Court documents state the girl alleges Ramdial kissed her on several occasions and sexually assaulted her while he drove her home after babysitting for him.

Ramdial is also accused of inappropriate touching by two other former youth members who were underage teens in 2005 and 2006, deputies said.

Ramdial moved to New York in 2008 where he and family members established the HopeNYC church, according to investigators. Deputies said he served as pastor until his arrest this week.

Investigators are asking any potential victim to come forward by reporting it immediately to the Harris County Sheriff's Office Crimes Against Children at 713-830-3203.

Ramdial, 33, is charged with sexual assault of a child. His bond is set at $250,000.

According to court documents, Ramdial's ministerial credentials were revoked after an Ecclesiastical Trial Board within the Church of God found him guilty of two counts of inappropriate lewd acts and one count of adultery last June.

The Victory Temple Church of God released a statement Thursday that read, "The Pastor and Leadership of Victory Temple Church of God in Houston, Texas, have been notified that Jude Ramdial, a former member of the church, has been charged with criminal activity relating to minors, arising out of conduct that occurred while he was a member of the church. The Pastor and Staff of Victory Temple are committed to cooperating fully with the authorities in this matter, and we are in prayer for everyone involved."