Church Leader Accused Of Child Rape

RIDDLETON, Tenn. -- A midstate church leader has been charged with raping a child.

Watch: Church Leader Charged With Child Rape

Police said Maurice Carter, 42, raped a child and that he may have done it inside a church.

Carter is a member of the Lily Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Riddleton.

Deputy William Trusty said police think there are more victims but were not sure how many.

A woman who said she's related to Carter said the man charged with raping a child and possibly more children is not the person she knows.

“Maurice was a sweet child when he was growing up. He was still a sweet child after he was grown,” she said. The woman asked to remain anonymous.

Carter was pulled over during a routine traffic stop on May 31.

When deputies searched the vehicle, they said they discovered marijuana as well as what are being called "inappropriate photographs and videotapes" inside the car.

Carter was arrested shortly after officials viewed the tapes.

Carter has said that he is HIV positive, officials said, but the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has not tested him yet.

Investigators said that if he tests positive, he'll face more charges.