The Black Collar Crime Series relies on public news stories and publicly available information for its content. If any incorrect information is found, please contact Bruce Gerencser. Nothing in this post should be construed as an accusation of guilt. Those accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.
In May 2021, Edward Williams, pastor of Jesus People Full of Faith Ministries in Pembroke Pines, Florida, was accused of having a romantic relationship with a seventeen-year-old girl. Williams was also a teacher and football coach at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School.
A high school football coach is under arrest after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Detectives said that 44-year-old Edward Malachi Williams of Miramar was romantically involved with a 17-year-old girl at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School.
According to a police report, the victim told investigators that the two were not sexually active but were waiting for her to turn 18 before going public as a couple. One of the texts she showed police from Williams said: “Baby, give me one chance, baby, baby, baby, give me one chance. I can’t believe I lost my girl. Please what if we make love one last time, it won’t be the last time, but for awhile.”
Miami-Dade Schools Police officers said that they went to the home of the 17-year-old after receiving information through an anonymous source.
They said the girl stated that although they had not been sexually intimate, they are “in love, have held hands, and kissed.” Police said both the victim and Williams denied engaging in sex.
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Williams was located at the school on Wednesday, according to investigators, and brought to Miami-Dade Public Schools Police Department headquarters for questioning, where he was subsequently arrested.
He was released from jail late Wednesday and walked out covering his head with a shirt. He did not speak to anyone.
According to Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Williams had been employed with the district from 1999 to 2017. He returned to the district in June of 2020. School officials said he had no history of disciplinary actions. Williams has been fired, according to the district.
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He is facing a second-degree felony charge, Offenses Against Students By Authority Figures.
In August 2021, Williams pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation.
Astoundingly, Williams is still the pastor of Jesus People Full of Faith Ministries. Evidently, having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager doesn’t disqualify Williams from the ministry.
Williams’ church bio states:
Edward is committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, so when the call came for ministry, it was no hard decision. Edward’s desire to see people live their lives to the fullest in Christ made the call and commitment to Pastor in the South Florida area an easy one. Edward’s strong belief is God has blessed us to be a blessing to others.
Bruce Gerencser, 67, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 46 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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My mom attends the former parent-church to the one Ed was under. They dropped him from their overall ministry but did not force him to step down. There are church members saying another man was found guilty and in jail for this crime. I looked up the case on the county court records site to tell my mom the truth and she found your site. This is so shameful. The church refuses to remove these people and their members spread lies to feel comfortable about attending. Thanks for your work.