MINISTER FACES SEX CHARGES FROM 1971

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 2, 1993                   TAG: 9302020043
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LON WAGNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CLIFTON FORGE                                LENGTH: Short
MINISTER FACES SEX CHARGES FROM 1971
The Rev. William C. Mattox, minister of Clifton Forge Baptist Church, was indicted Monday on eight counts of aggravated sexual battery, Clifton Forge prosecutor Jeff Crackel said.
Though the charges stem from incidences dating back to 1971, Crackel said some of the alleged victims - who were 7 to 10 years old at the time - recently remembered what had happened to them.
"An event can be buried within a child's mind for years and years," he said. "Then something triggers something in the mind."
Crackel said he expects Mattox's defense attorney to ask for the charges to be dismissed on the grounds that it would be difficult for Mattox to defend himself against alleged events so long ago.
There are six alleged victims, all named as Jane Doe in the indictments, who all are now adults. Crackel said the most recent indictment dates to 1980.
Mattox was arrested Monday and released on a $25,000 bond.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB