Molestation charges advance to grand jury

STAUNTON — A Staunton Circuit Court grand jury indicted Steven Bruce Joplin, 59, of Middlebrook, after authorities charged him with seven counts of aggravated sexual battery of a minor under age 13.

Staunton police said Joplin molested a girl in July and August at Christ United Methodist Church, where he served as the director of Christian education. The church is located at 1512 Churchville Ave.

After arresting Joplin on Aug. 21 on charges he molested a 10-year-old girl, police found there were four more victims, authorities said.

Joplin used his office as a space to take advantage of five victims, Staunton police Investigator Chad Nestor said in court Tuesday. Nestor said Joplin confessed to molesting other little girls.

“He said he had a rush of guilt when he did it,” Nestor testified. “That he knew it was wrong.”

In an interview with police Joplin cited his strained marriage as the crux of his problem, authorities said.

According to a biography no longer available at the Christ United Methodist Church Web site, Joplin served eight years as Staunton District Youth Coordinator and previously worked at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lexington and Greenville United Methodist Church. He often directed teen and youth programs and led mission trips abroad. Joplin is married with two children, according to the biography.

The grand jury also indicted Jose Orlando Romero-Feliciano, of Staunton, on charges he sodomized a minor in February.