A pastor facing multiple counts of sexual assault appeared before a Miller County judge Monday.
David Wayne Farren, 41, was arrested Friday on a charge of second degree felony sexual assault and a misdemeanor charge of violation of mandatory reporting requirements. Friday’s arrest is Farren’s second this month.
Farren was arrested Aug. 3 for three counts of first degree felony sexual assault. Farren allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct in 2013 with a girl who participated in his youth group at an area church, according to a police press statement. The second degree sexual assault charge concerns a different alleged victim.
Farren currently serves as pastor of Anchor Church in Texarkana. Farren has worked at Heritage Baptist Church and Faith Church as well, according to statements made during Farren’s court appearance Aug. 4.
Farren’s attorney, Jason Horton of Texarkana, asked the court to impose a gag order at Farren’s appearance Aug. 4. Circuit Judge Brent Haltom, who conducted Farren’s initial appearance on the first degree sexual assault charges, ruled that the police and prosecutors cannot give details about the case to the media without a judge’s permission.
At Monday’s hearing, Miller County District Judge Wren Autrey set bail on the second degree sexual assault and misdemeanor mandatory reporting violation at $15,000. Haltom set bail on the three first degree sexual assault charges at $25,000 at the Aug. 4 hearing. Farren posted bond the same day. Farren bonded out of jail after his hearing Monday.
He is scheduled to return to court this week.
First degree sexual assault is punishable by six to 30 years in prison. Second degree sexual assault is punishable by five to 20 years in prison. Violation of mandatory reporting requirements is punishable by up to a year in the county jail.
