Three Missouri men charged in sex case are lay ministers

In this photo released by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department, from left, Jared Leroy Mohler, 48, of Columbia, David A. Mohler, 52, of Lamoni, Iowa, Burrell Edward Mohler Sr., 77, of Independence, Burrell Edward Mohler Jr., 53, also of Independence and Roland Neil Mohler, 47, of Bates City. All were arrested Tuesday and charged with forcible sodomy, rape and use of a child in a sexual performance.   ¦  The Associated Press

LEXINGTON — Three of the five family members charged in western Missouri with sex crimes against children are lay ministers in the Community of Christ church in Independence. Authorities say a search of the men's land includes the possibility of a body or bodies.

The five men arrested are charged with forcible sodomy, rape and use of a child in a sexual performance. Allegations include bestiality and forcing an 11-year-old to have an abortion.

Charged are: 77-year-old Burrell Edward Mohler Sr. of Independence, and his sons, 53-year-old Burrell Edward Mohler Jr., also of Independence; 48-year-old Jared Leroy Mohler of Columbia; 47-year-old Roland Neil Mohler of Bates City; and 52-year-old David A. Mohler of Lamoni, Iowa.

A spokeswoman for the Independence-based Community of Christ said Burrell Mohler Sr., David Mohler and Jared Mohler are lay ministers but are not in positions of leadership or involved with youth.

Lafayette County Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh asked for the public's help in the investigation, saying that "there may be other victims out there."