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Preacher behind bars after alleged
abuse at Christian camp
August 13, 2007
 CORPUS
CHRISTI - Investigators said that a San Antonio preacher has been
arrested, after a 15-year-old girl from Floresville, claimed she was
abused while at a Christian boot camp in Banquete.
According to an arrest affidavit,
the teenage girl was injured, when the camp director and another
camp employee, tied her up to the back of a van and then dragged her
along a dirt road.
Friday morning, Nueces County
authorities arrested both the camp director and one camp employee in
San Antonio. His name is Charles Eugene Flowers. According to a Web
site for the Christian boot camp, or CBC, he spent 12 years in the
Air Force before he started the boot camp up in 1995.
All the while, Flowers also served
as the youth pastor of Faith Outreach International Church in San
Antonio.
Flowers and Stephanie Bassitt were
being booked into the Nueces County Jail, facing charges of
aggravated assault.
"I don't want to be arrested, like
the next man doesn't want to be arrested," Pastor Flowers said.
"But, there's a purpose in everything. So we're just going to march
that purpose on out."
Those were the words of Flowers,
just minutes before Nueces County detectives took him into custody
Friday morning in San Antonio.
Flowers is accused of causing
injuries to a 15-year-old girl, who attended his Christian Boot Camp
in Banquete last month.
According to his arrest affidavit,
Flowers, along with Bassitt, were leading a group run at the camp,
when the alleged victim fell behind.
Investigators said Flowers and
Bassitt tied the victim up to the back of a van and dragged her down
a dirt path - accusations Flowers said he would not address.
"I don't really know the depth of
what's going on," Flowers said. "So I really don't have a reaction
to it. I purposely don't want to have a reaction; I'm just living
life."
Flowers said he and his wife
started up the CBC in 1995 to help at-risk youth between 13 and 19
find a closer relationship with God, while learning discipline for
their every day life.
"The goal is to rescue our
generation of young people from drugs, alcohol, disrespect,
disobedience for their parents, and hook them up to purpose and
understand they have a purpose in life," he said.
And while Flowers admits he's has
come across a rebellious teen from time to time, he said he has
never crossed the line.
"This is the first time in 13 years
it's gone to this extent, but when you are dealing with the
rebellious, then you are dealing with rebellion," Flowers said.
The Nueces County District Attorney
issued a warning to all parents who send their kids off to camp.
The warning came the same day
Flowers was arrested. Flowers and Bassitt are charged with
aggravated assault, with bonds of $100,000 a piece. The case has
District Attorney Carlos Valdez, wondering if parents really know
what their children could be subjected to.
A consent form, signed by the
girl's mother, said injury and even death were possible in the
program. Moments before Flowers was arrested, he explained the
mission behind his Christian boot camp.
"The goal is to rescue our
generation of young people from drugs, alcohol, disrespect,
disloyalty, disobedience for their parents, get them hooked up to
purpose," he said.
And one camper said it's working.
"I was into drugs; I was on the
wrong path," Richard Talamentez said. "Since I've been here, it got
me closer to God, and got me back on the right track."
But the 15-year-old girl in
question said she walked away with severe scrapes and burns.
What also shocked the district
attorney...
"I just couldn't believe that
anybody would sign something like this," Valdez said holding a
consent form, "and here it is, signed by the parent."
The camp consent form that parents
must sign says "I realize that Christian boot camp is a strenuous
and highly intense program. I further realize that the possibility
of accident, injury or even fatality to my child does exist."
"Your child may be killed at this
boot camp, and the parent signs it anyway," Valdez said.
Valdez urges parents to not only
notice the big picture, but read the small print as well.
"Just because it is faith-based,
christian-based boot camp doesn't necessarily mean it's safe, that
it's right, or that it's good."
Online Reporter: Abby Dunn and and
Erin Cargile
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