Oklahoma authorities arrested Pentecostal preacher Joe Campbell, 68

[noumoe]

Oklahoma authorities arrested Pentecostal preacher Joe Campbell, 68, on Wednesday for child sex abuse charges, including first-degree rape and lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16, stemming from alleged molestation of Kerri Jackson in Tulsa during the early 1980s when she was around 9.

U.S. marshals apprehended him at his Camp Bell in Elkland, Missouri; if convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

The arrest follows a May NBC News investigation revealing a pattern of abuse allegations against Campbell, with five women claiming sexual abuse in the 1970s and 1980s during his Assemblies of God ministry, and nine others reporting inappropriate conduct like showing pornography or lewd touching.

Past probes in Oklahoma and Missouri stalled due to statute of limitations, but prosecutors applied a frontier-era law pausing the clock for out-of-state suspects after Campbell’s 1980s relocation.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond called the crimes “horrific” and anticipates more victims may emerge.

Jackson described the arrest as “a miracle” after decades of pursuit.

Phaedra Creed, who reported abuse in 1989 leading to Campbell’s expulsion from Assemblies of God, expressed relief that “justice will finally be served.”

Assemblies of God leaders stated they reported 1988 allegations to authorities and are grateful for victims’ bravery.

Campbell founded a nondenominational church and camp in 1990, ministering to thousands of children and providing refuge for convicted sex offenders; he broadcast on PTL Television Network until it removed his content this year following NBC inquiries.