Document text
Pastor accused of attacks on members of church By JILL BRISKEY CENTRAL POINT � A pastor who allegedly threatened and assaulted three church patrons in a drunken fit was arrested Friday. Police say Eagle Point resident Tauileata Moli, 40, believed the three victims were responsible for his termination from a local Seventh-Day Adventist church. Moli was arrested Friday afternoon by Eagle Point police after being pulled over on Highway 62 in White City. He was charged with fourth-degree assault, second-degree assault, harassment, driving while under the influence of intoxicants, two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts of menacing. According to Central Point Police Sgt. Tony McPherson, Moli � who was intoxicated at the time � entered Taco Bell in the Pilot Travel Center on East Pine Street around 1 p.m. Friday to speak with a male church patron who works at the fast-food restaurant. "He was very upset and he was very angry," McPherson said of Moli. Moli reportedly believed the employee had spread rumors in the church that ultimately led to his termination. McPherson said Moli finally threw a chair at the employee and drove away. The victim quickly contacted police. Without stopping, Moli traveled to Queensgate Court in Central Point and entered an adult foster care center where another church patron worked, McPherson said. McPherson said Moli accused the man of the same type of behavior that supposedly caused church officials to fire him. Moli, holding a set of keys in his hand, struck the victim on the left ear, McPherson said. "He then grabbed a large knife," McPherson said, adding that Moli threatened the man and chased him in and out of the care facility before the victim could escape and contact police. From there, police said Moli drove to Castlewood Court in Central Point to another adult care facility where the third victim works. Once again, he accused the woman of spreading rumors that caused his termination. "He forced his way in the door," McPherson said. "He pushed her down and struck her." Moli reportedly threatened the victim with the same knife he had taken from the Queensgate Court facility. Central Point police provided a description of Moli and his vehicle to Eagle Point police after suspecting he might return home. Moli was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on over $2 million bail. It is unclear when and why Moli was terminated. Attempts to contact church officials Friday were unsuccessful. "Obviously he was still upset about it," McPherson said. "We don�t know the timeline yet." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.