Pemberton Deacon Denies Sexual Assault in Church

A church official has pleaded not guilty to charges he molested two girls during separate incidents at a church in southern New Jersey.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's office announced Thursday that Joseph V. Pullen Jr., a church deacon, entered the plea Monday.

Prosecutors tell The Burlington County Times that the 59-year-old Pemberton Township resident first came to the attention of the police in 2012 when the family of a girl reported she had been sexually assaulted during a church service.

Police say a second victim also reported being molested at Calvary Baptist Church in 2010. Prosecutors say an investigation into the incident revealed that Pullen had allegedly assaulted the same child in 2009 and 2011 at undisclosed locations.

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