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John Ware, a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Pine Castle in Orlando, Florida was charged Tuesday with the sexual battery of a child.
An Orange County Sunday school teacher faces charges of sexual battery on a child under 12 years old, deputies said.
John Maxwell Ware, 53, who works at First Baptist Church of Pine Castle, was arrested Tuesday, deputies said.
Investigators were notified Monday that Ware abused the child Saturday at a fall festival at the church at 1001 Hoffner Ave. in Orlando.
The child said the child’s legs were tired from setting up for the festival, so Ware asked the child to sit in his car, investigators said.
Ware began driving to the back parking area and tickling the child on the upper thighs and sexually battered the child, investigators said. The child told Ware to stop, but he kept going, investigators said.
Ware denied the sexual battery to the child’s parent and investigators, deputies said.
Ware later admitted it’s possible he may have touched the child.
“It’s possible because the child was squirming (during tickling), but it wasn’t on purpose,” Ware told the parent.
Ware is being held without bail at the Orange County Jail.
It’s unclear if there are more victims, but investigators urge anyone who may have been a victim to come forward.
Ware was arrested in 1997 and pleaded guilty to prostitution or lewdness, according to court documents.
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Update
In a November 17, 2017 WESH-2 report, it is alleged that Ware might have molested additional victims (Link to video):
A Central Florida Sunday School teacher already charged with molesting a young girl on a church campus may soon face more charges.
John Ware, 53, could face more charges for sex crimes in addition to a charge stemming from a prior investigation of him.
Ware is currently facing one count of sexual battery on a child under age 12, but that list could grow.
Since that time, we have had several victims come forward and they are working with our sex crimes detectives,” Jane Watrel, of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said.
Deputies said they want more people to look closely at Ware’s mugshot.
Detectives said the alleged new victims told a story similar to that of a young girl who claims she was molested by Ware, a volunteer Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church Pine Castle.
The girl said Ware gave her a ride to the back parking lot during the Fall Festival on Nov 5.
According to the arrest affidavit, the girl said Ware reached his hands into her “blue jean shorts.”
“Several have come forward, but they (detectives) do believe there are more and that is very troubling to us,” Watrel said.
Ware was investigated for an incident involving a child, by the sheriff’s and state attorney’s offices seven years ago.
WESH 2 News has obtained information from local law enforcement that indicates the alleged incident in 2010 happened at the Lake Gloria Shores community. His arrest affidavit and property records show Ware lives there.
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