If he did what he was accused of doing, he needs to repent.
An 86-year-old Baptist pastor, Albert Benjamin Wharton, faced a series of serious charges linked to his time as a minister in Virginia. The arrest unfolded at his residence in Pickens County, South Carolina, entailing 30 felony charges, notably including instances of “indecent liberties with a child.”
The accusations against Wharton spanned from 1981 to 1997 when he was associated with Berachah Christian Academy in Warsaw, Virginia, and leading as a pastor at Victory Baptist Church. Richmond County Sheriff Stephan Smith detailed the charges, which included 22 counts of indecent liberties with a child under 13 years old while in a custodial position and eight counts of aggravated sexual assault.
Wharton’s extensive history serving in pastoral roles across multiple states—Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida—prompted a 15-month investigation initiated after one of the alleged victims came forward to law enforcement. This probe, involving the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, culminated in Wharton’s arrest.
Following his arrest, Wharton was taken to Northern Neck Regional Jail in Richmond County, Virginia, and subsequently released on a $25,000 bond on December 18. Nonetheless, he remains under stringent house arrest conditions in Pickens, subject to electronic monitoring and rigorous requirements. As part of his release terms, Wharton must maintain good behavior, refrain from contacting any alleged victim or minors, and is barred from overseeing children or engaging in any church-related roles.
Wharton’s history as a founding pastor at Victory Baptist Church from 1976 to 2002 starkly contrasts with the severe charges he now faces. This situation has left the community in shock and prompted strict measures to ensure compliance with legal constraints pending further proceedings.