Sodomy charges filed against an Atmore preacher

A pastor of churches in Atmore and Monroeville was arrested last week after a Monroe County grand jury indicted him on one count of sodomy I and two counts of sodomy II

Monroe County Sheriff's deputies arrested Garyl Jermaine Gibbs, 47, of Monroeville and booked him into the Monroe County Detention Facility last Wednesday.

Gibbs is the pastor of A Call to Life Apostolic Church with churches in Atmore and Monroeville.

According to Brian House, chief investigator for the Monroeville Police Department, his office received a report from a nearby law enforcement agency of an alleged sexual assault which had occurred in Monroeville. Investigators made contact with the victim of the report and opened an investigation into the matter. House stated that information and evidence obtained during the investigation was presented to the district attorney's office, which in turn presented the case to a grand jury.

The indictment alleges that Gibbs, being 16 years or older, engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with another person who was less than 12 years of age and that he also twice engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion.

House stated that the reported victim was a former member of the Gibbs' congregation. Gibbs was released after posting a $75,000 bond last Wednesday.

Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said his department does have an active investigation involving Gibbs but no charges have been filed.