Church deacon accused of sexual abuse of a minor

He was charged with multiple counts.

A 13-year-old girl told detectives that Taylor had inappropriately touched her on several occasions over a year and a half, police say.

Each time, Taylor gave the girl $20 to $100, she told police.

Police did not release details of how the girl was connected to Taylor in order to protect her identity, spokeswoman Anita Shell said.

A spokeswoman for True Vine Ministries in Fairview said Taylor is still a deacon there. The church stands by him, she said.

The spokeswoman, April Hawkins, read a prepared statement:

"Deacon Taylor has been a faithful, committed, upstanding member since the founding of this ministry. He has mentored and advised with integrity and the love of Christ. We are standing with Deacon Taylor and are confident that these allegations will be proven false."

Hawkins said the ministry was founded in 1991. She declined to answer further questions.

Police interviewed the victim Monday, Shell said. The teen told detectives she could "probably guarantee she was not the only person" abused, according to police.

Detectives believe Taylor may have more victims, police said.

Police are asking anyone who thinks their child was abused by Taylor to call Detective Chris Thomas at 786-2628.

Taylor was booked into the Anchorage jail.