Three women, including one family member and two people he referred to as “God daughters,” are allegedly the victims of sexual abuse by a Las Vegas pastor.
Nine counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, and one offense of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment were among the eleven felonies for which Bobby Cornelius Smith, 46, was indicted by a grand jury.
Lashawn Nicole Smith, who has been identified as his wife, has also been charged with two felonies, including sexual assault and endangering a child.
According to the website of the church, Bobby Smith is the pastor and his wife is the “First Lady” of the organization.
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A family member testified before the grand jury that Smith repeatedly forced her to use sex toys beginning when she was 17 years old and a senior in high school.
According to what she said Bobby Smith told her, “God is telling me that it is important for you to do this,” and urged that the sex gadgets would save her from wrecking her life and succumbing into “urges.”
Later, Smith demonstrated how to use the device for her, and she said he would instruct her to meet him at hotels.
According to a second lady who identified herself as a churchgoer, Bobby Smith urged her to engage in oral sex with him. She said that he lowered his trousers and obstructed a staircase. She said that as a result of her terror, she pushed him away.
A third lady described how, when she was 16 years old, her family started attending New Beginnings Ministries. At the age of 17, she said Bobby Smith text her a picture of a sex toy. He was informed by her that she had no desire to utilize it. Later, she said, Bobby Smith brought up the sex toy once more, assuring her that they are not sins and that he wanted to show her how to use one.
The woman said that Bobby Smith would then use the sex toy on her at various locations including at least two Las Vegas area hotels. After telling Smith’s wife, the woman says she received a text message from Bobby Smith stating “…you guys want to paint me to be like this monster or like I’m doing something wrong when I’m just trying to help you all.”
She said that Bobby Smith requested a meeting and when she showed up, he and his wife were both there and he told her to perform sexual acts with his wife.
According to Detective Ashley Bertschy, North Las Vegas Police began looking into the claims against the pastor after the first claimed victim filed a report. She knew that the third claimed victim had disclosed what had transpired in 2014 and that a nurse at University Medical Center had examined her while also gathering a rape kit. Bertschy said that she revived the investigation after Las Vegas Metro Police had closed it.
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