Former pastor faces child sexual abuse charges

May 26--NORMAN -- Formal child sexual abuse charges have been filed against a former Norman pastor.

On Friday, Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn filed two counts of performing lewd/indecent acts with a child under 16 against Phillip Paul Ratliff, 77.

Ratliff was a pastor at Alameda Baptist Church, according to a Norman police affidavit.

According to the affidavit, officers were dispatched to the Norman Police Department lobby May 20 in reference to a report of someone possessing child pornography and allegations that the same person performed lewd acts on his juvenile relative.

Two days later, the alleged victim was interviewed by a Mary Abbott Children's House forensic interviewer. The victim said Ratliff showed her child pornography and sexually assaulted her.

Per the state's request, Cleveland County Judge Steve Stice set Ratliff's bail at $75,000. Ratliff's next court date will be July 10 for a preliminary hearing conference, where the district attorney's office could offer an initial plea deal. The case has been assigned to Judge Thad Balkman.

Fundraisers set up for families of two men killed on Lake Thunderbird

Those interested in donating money to the families of two men killed in a Lake Thunderbird boating crash last weekend have two opportunities to do so.

A GoFundMe page was created to help pay for Brandon Kelley's funeral expenses and other expenses related to Kelley's death. So far, more than $6,000 of the $10,000 goal has been raised.

Donations to Cody Foster's family can be made to an account set up at Liberty National Bank in Blanchard, 1525 N. Council Ave, Blanchard, OK 73010. Donations should be designated "for the benefit of Cody Foster's family."

Felonies filed

The following people were charged with felony counts in the Cleveland County Court Clerk's Office:

--Arthur, Henry Joseph, 45, was charged with possessing a controlled dangerous substance and possessing or selling drug paraphernalia-misdemeanor.

--Perez, Kevin Dale, 29, was charged with conspiring to violate the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act and drug trafficking.

--Evans, Melissa, 32, was charged with conspiring to violate the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act and drug trafficking.

--Coffey, Andrew Levi, 30, was charged with conspiring to violate the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act and drug trafficking.

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