A Fort Worth pastor who was arrested Sep. 1 on a sexual assault charge addressed the case from the pulpit last week, calling the allegations “absolutely false.”
Diego Alonzo Fuller, 39, who is the lead pastor at Journey Fort Worth, displayed his mugshot during a sermon days later on Sep. 8, a recording of the sermon shows.
“That’s me, I still look good,” Fuller said to laughter from the congregation as the mugshot appeared on a screen behind him.
During the church’s online service the previous Sunday, Aug. 31, Fuller said, “20 officers surrounded my house, SWAT was there, and they took me to jail.” Fuller was released later that day on a $40.000 bond, according to legal records.
Fuller will continue to lead the congregation amid the proceedings, church elders said in a Facebook post Sep. 3.
“Pastor Diego categorically denies these accusations of sexual assault and maintains that they are entirely without merit,” the post reads. “He remains committed to transparency and truth as the legal process moves forward.”
Fuller said he will partially step back from his duties, but will continue writing sermons.
“Some Sundays you’ll see me preaching and some not,” Fuller said. “And I just want to be upfront with you about that because I’m trying to be sensitive in this season. Even though that I’m innocent, I also understand that those are people who have been triggered by situations like this.”
Further details about the circumstances around Fuller’s charge were not immediately available Tuesday evening.