Jury convicts minister accused of molesting teen

DECATUR - A Lithonia pastor was convicted of molesting a 15-year-old male member of his church late Tuesday. A DeKalb County jury returned the verdict after 12 hours of deliberations. <br> <br> The Rev. Troy Brown, pastor of the Greater Anointed Tabernacle Worship Center, was found guilty of 25 counts of molestation 11 counts of aggravated child molestation and 14 counts of child molestation. <br> <br> Shortly before the verdict was read about 11:45 p.m., Brown peered over his attorney&#39;s shoulder at the written verdict and put his head in his hands. <br> <br> DeKalb District Attorney J. Tom Morgan said afterward, ``There is a special place in hell for somebody who molests a child in the name of religion.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Brown&#39;s attorney, Keith Adams, said he would appeal the decision. <br> <br> ``I think the jury was probably overwhelmed by the evidence of prior allegations, and obviously it affected their guilty verdict,&#39;&#39; Adams said. ``I respect their effort, but I disagree with their decision, and we will be appealing shortly.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Brown could receive up to 30 years on each count of aggravated molestation and up to 20 years on the other 14 counts. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.

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