Charlotte Man Charged With Sex Crimes; Police Connect Him To Local Church

A man police call an "associate pastor" was arrested Friday night and charged with eight felony sex crimes.

Lawrence Webber, 60, is charged with three counts of first-degree rape and five counts of indecent liberties with a child. Police said there are at least two victims.

Leaders at Reeder Memorial Church said Webber was a member, but held no official title and did not work with children.

Webber is a registered sex offender in North Carolina.

"We work with people who have difficulties," Pastor Don Steger said. "We cannot force people. That's not a requirement for being a member of the church. But we certainly make it available and it was certainly made available to Mr. Webber."

Eyewitness News asked repeatedly if the victims in the alleged crimes were members of the church. Church leaders would not answer that question,.

Police say the investigation is on-going.