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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 27, 1993                   TAG: 9310270152
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SEXUAL ABUSE CHARGES TO GO BEFORE GRAND JURY

Two women testified Tuesday against their former Botetourt County preacher, who is accused of sexually abusing them almost 20 years ago.

James Hollis Kimrey, 47, is charged with taking indecent liberties with them in 1975 and 1976, when he was preacher of the Cave Rock Church of the Brethren.

After hearing the women testify at a preliminary hearing in Botetourt County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Judge Dudley Emick found probable cause to support the felony charges.

The case will go to a grand jury, which will consider indictments against Kimrey on Dec. 6, according to Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Hagan.

The women were 12 and 13 when they say Kimrey abused them. Hagan declined to elaborate on their testimony or say why it took so long to bring charges.

In September, authorities brought Kimrey back to Botetourt from Northern Virginia, where he now lives, and charged him.

At that time, Botetourt County Sheriff Reed Kelly said that the two women had reported being sexually abused to someone who is required by law to forward the information to law-enforcement authorities.

Kimrey, who was allowed to remain free on bond after Tuesday's hearing, faces up to 10 years in prison.

Cave Rock Church of the Brethren no longer exists under that name. As its minister, Kimrey led the congregation in an unsuccessful attempt to break away from the national Church of the Brethren.

A few years after the failed breakaway, Kimrey was convicted of breaking into two restaurants and later of escaping from jail, according to court records.

by CNB