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Last updated on Friday, March 29, 2013
(TERRE HAUTE) - A Terre Haute couple was arrested Wednesday on allegations they performed sex acts with a teenage girl while the child was 14 to 15 years old.
Joe Astrouski of WTHI reports that Matthew and Jennifer Mahoney each face preliminary felony charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Vicarious Sexual Gratification and Sexual Battery.
The alleged victim told investigators she first began seeing the couple in the summer of 2012, when she visited their home on Friday nights ahead of weekend church events.
She said that, on one occasion, Matthew and Jennifer Mahoney had sex with one another in front of her. She said that, at some point, the couple also engaged in sex acts with the then-14-year-old.
The girl also told authorities that the sexual activity between her and the couple soon stopped, but that she later began having sexual contact with Matthew Mahoney. She said the contact occurred "numerous times" and continued through March 2013.
In March, police believe, Jennifer Mahoney contacted the girl's guardians and told them about the alleged relationship between Matthew Mahoney and the teen. The guardians, in turn, contacted authorities.
When questioned by investigators, Matthew Mahoney admitted he had been in a relationship with the girl and that he and Ms. Mahoney had sex in front of her. Jennifer Mahoney also told investigators that she knew about the alleged relationship between Mr. Mahoney and the girl.
During a press conference Thursday afternoon, authorities said that the couple had served as "lay pastors" at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Terre Haute, but they said their investigation has found no evidence the couple had inappropriate contact with other children within the church or within the community.
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