| For Immediate Release March 20th, 2002 |
Contact: | DDA Randy Payne: (714) 329-4071 FPD Sgt. Kevin Hamilton: (714) 738-6776 |
Ex-Church Elder Charged with Molesting Young Girl in 24-year-old Case
EDITORS: Note *corrections in second and third paragraph
FULLERTON — A San Diego man was charged today with molesting a 7-year-old girl beginning in 1978 while he was a high-ranking elder for a Fullerton church.
The filing of this case was made possible by a new law that extends the statute of limitations in child molestation cases providing that the allegations are independently corroborated. Prosecutors were able to charge James Campbell Truxton, 86, because of details provided by the victim and the assistance of his former church, First Evangelical Free Church.
According to the complaint, Fullerton police were contacted by a woman eight months ago and inquired about the status of Truxton, who had been under investigation 10 years earlier for molestation. In 1992, several girls came forward to church officials and admitted that they had been molested. When Truxton was confronted with the allegations, he admitted to them in a letter and was then expelled from the church.
At that time, the statute of limitations had expired so police could not arrest him. But when the recent inquiry was made, police began an intensive investigation, which included obtaining documents from the church and tracking down 25 additional women who were molested as girls. These crimes dated back to the 1950s. Police also found that the defendant had set up a trust fund of $30,000 to pay for counseling for many of the victims.
The defendant met his victims, aged 7 to 13 years old, through church. He taught Sunday school and some girls visited his home to take piano lessons from his wife.
Fullerton police arrested Truxton today at his home. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. An arraignment date has not been set. Anyone with additional information regarding Truxton should contact Fullerton police Sgt. Kevin Hamilton at 714) 738-6776.