Curtis Bankston, Sophia Simm-Bankston.Photo: Spalding County Sheriff’s Office (2)
False imprisonment charges have been filed in Georgia against a self-professed pastor and his wife after eight people with disabilities were freed from a basement in Griffin.
It is alleged in a statement from the Griffin Police Department that Curtis Bankston, 55, and his 56-year-old wife, Sophia Simm-Bankston, had been operating an unlicensed “group home” or “personal care facility” at their home.
Detectives allege the couple ran the operation “under the guise of a church known asOne Step of Faith2nd Chance.”
According to the statement, the Griffin Fire Department arrived at the home on the morning of Jan. 13 after receiving reports of a patient having a seizure.
Emergency responders contacted police after finding the basement’s doors secured with two dead bolt locks.
The couple’s alleged actions “created an extreme hazard, as the individuals could not exit the residence if there were an emergency.”
Many of the people rescued “were mentally and/or physically disabled.” They ranged in age from 25 to 65.
The church’s websitedescribes 2nd Chance as “a program designed to promote the mental, physical and spiritual development of each participant and empowers them with love, respect, forgiveness and faith through the meaning and significance of Christian values.”
The program claims to be a nonprofit that “offers Jobs for Life classes” as well as “employability training” to “male and female and ex-felons, regardless of ethnic background, who are re-entering society after incarceration and have demonstrated a willingness to make positive changes.”
The police statement alleges the couple locked the basement door, and “that the Bankstons were in control of the disabled individuals' finances, medications, and public benefits. The investigation also revealed that these individuals had been denied their medications and, in some instances, medical care as well.”
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PEOPLE could not reach the Bankstons for comment Monday.
It was unclear if either had entered a plea to the false imprisonment charge they each face.
Police say they matter remains under investigation.
source: people.com
