Former Oklahoma youth pastor indicted for allegedly raping, sexually abusing minors
FILE - Joseph Lyle Campbell (Greene County (MO) Jail booking photo)
A former youth pastor out of Oklahoma was indicted for rape and lewd acts with a child under 16 that allegedly happened back in 1984.
Joseph Campbell, 68, was indicted by a grand jury after he allegedly raped a child who was between 11 or 12 years old in his garage, according to an Oklahoma Attorney General news release.
He was also accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl at Eastland Assembly of God Church where he was a young pastor.
Dig deeper:
Campbell allegedly committed these "horrific" acts between May 1 and Oct. 1, 1984, and March 1 and Dec. 1, 1984.
What they're saying:
"The crimes alleged in the indictment are horrific," Attorney General Gentner Drummond said. "There can be no tolerance for child sex predators, particularly adults who exploit their positions of authority and the faith of their victims. My office will vigorously work to ensure justice is served for the women who have carried this trauma for decades."
Local perspective:
Campbell was arrested on Wednesday morning in Elkhead, Missouri, according to Fox 25.
He was taken to Greene County Jail and is awaiting transfer to Oklahoma where the alleged crimes were committed.
Campbell has also been a pastor at Morningside in Blue Eye, Missouri.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from an Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office news release published on Dec. 17, 2025, a Supreme Court of Oklahoma indictment and reporting by Fox 25. This story was reported from San Jose.