WINTER PARK, Fla. — Rev. Bryan Fulwider, known for the WMFE radio show "Friends Talking Faith with the Three Wise Guys," is accused by police of sexually abusing a minor over a five-year period.
- WMFE show host "Friends Talking Faith" charged with child sex abuse
- Rev. Bryan Fulwider has been in Central Florida ministry for decades
- Cops: Person reported they were abused while Fulwider was their pastor
- He was charged in 2007 with simple battery out of Flagler County
Fulwider, 59, of Altamonte Springs, is facing 30 counts of sexual battery by a custodial authority to a person younger than 18 years old, according to an arrest warrant issued Wednesday by the Ninth Circuit Court in Orange County.
Fulwider's Facebook page says he has served in local church ministry for more than 30 years, in both the United Methodist Church and United Church of Christ.
Winter Park Police detectives are investigating. They say that at the time of the alleged offenses, thought to be between 2005 and 2010, Fulwider was the senior pastor at the First Congregational Church of Winter Park on South Interlachen Avenue.
"Our church community has been deeply pained to learn of the arrest of Bryan Fulwider, who resigned from First Congregational more than seven years ago. At this time, we have no information about this matter, but we pray that any victim associated with this be given privacy in order to move forward and heal," Rev. Shawn Garvey, the senior minister of the church, said in a released statement.
The police department said a person disclosed to detectives that they were sexually battered numerous times by their pastor while they were a minor.
"Friends Talking Faith" cohost Imam Muhammad Musri told WMFE on Wednesday he was unaware of the charges and arrest and declined to comment.
The show announced on Facebook that it will be on an indefinite hiatus in the wake of Fulwider’s arrest.
Fulwider was arrested Tuesday with help from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. He is now being held at Orange County Jail, where he awaits an initial court appearance.
Fulwider was charged in 2007 with simple battery after Flagler County Sheriff's investigators alleged he pulled up a woman's shirt against her will and touched her breast, according to an arrest affidavit from that time. The charges were later dropped.
Anyone who can provide more information about the current case, or suspects they've been a victim of a crime involving Fulwider, is urged to contact Winter Park Police at 407-599-3211.
WFME is a radio partner of Spectrum News 13.
