Michael Coghill Biography – Wiki
Michael Coghill, a local pastor, was arrested by police on September 22 for “inappropriately touching” a nine-year-old boy. But before they could stop him, the boy’s father made his feelings clear by beating the pastor, identified as Michael Coghill. As a result, Coghill was left with a black eye and a skull fracture, in addition to a criminal record. The beating occurred after the boy told his parents that Coghill had previously touched him and followed him.
Age
Michael Coghill is 9-years-old.
Charged & Arrested
Coghill’s arrest comes months after disgraced former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick became the highest-ranking clergyman in the United States to be indicted. In July, he was charged with three counts of indecent battery and battery in Massachusetts. Days before that, an ‘apostle’ at a Southern California church was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a minor. In June, we also reported the arrest of Florida youth pastor Andrew Weaver, who attempted to have sex with a teenage girl.
Over the past decade, numerous church leaders have been arrested and charged with sex crimes, often involving minors. It was difficult to get an exact number, but it is expected to be in the hundreds in the US alone Now, Coghill has jumped on those numbers, after a rather violent incident that led to his arrest. It is unclear if the father was charged or arrested for assaulting Coghill, but the pastor has been fired by the church and now faces serious charges and the threat of jail time.
Coghill Tackled by infuriated Father
The incident and subsequent arrest took place in a neighborhood near Southwest 36th Street and County Line Road. Coghill is believed to live in another nearby neighborhood and works at a church in Mustang. He was reportedly seen jogging through the neighborhood several times before his arrest. “I thought he was a runner in the neighborhood,” one witness, Lisa Ward, told News9. However, the truth seems to be more sinister.
Coghill reportedly ran past the bus stop where the nine-year-old waited “several times” and “touched him in a way that made him feel uncomfortable” on September 20. “He knew what time he would be there every day,” Ward said. The boy told his parents about the incident, prompting his father to see it for himself. On September 22, the father parked his car near the stop and began filming while waiting for Coghill to appear.
“While looking at the school bus stop, our suspect ran past him, ran past the bus stop where the children were waiting. He turned around, came back, and stopped where he touched the boy,” Seargent Dillon Quirk said. In the incident, the father confronted Coghill and “knocked him to the ground.” When the police arrived, they found Coghill bloodied and bruised. “He was in the police car all bloody,” Ward said. The event left everyone around him stunned. hardly any words that are appropriate for the camera, “added Ward.
Coghill Fired From Church
Following his arrest, Coghill was taken to the Oklahoma County Detention Center and has been charged with one count of lewd acts against a child. The impressive development left the community concerned. Police are now calling for eyewitnesses to come forward, as well as anyone else who has been a victim of Coghill. Lakehoma Church of Christ, where Coghill worked, has also moved quickly to distance itself from the pastor.
Shortly after the arrest, the church removed any mention of him from his website. He also issued a statement on September 23 through Facebook. “It broke our hearts to learn of the incident that occurred yesterday morning involving Mike Coghill, our discipleship minister … Mike has a clean background check and we have received no reports or complaints against him during his tenure at Lakehoma, “said the church.
He added: “The elders met tonight and determined that it was in the best interest of all parties to have Mike relieved of all duties from him. He will no longer be on the Lakehoma staff.” The announcement was met with support, and the post garnered 214 comments at the time of reporting. “Thank you for this statement, his difficult decision, and his swift action. It is duly noted and is an important step on the churches of Christ’s journey to healing,” one person commented. Another said: “This statement is a good step.”
