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Former youth minister arraigned for statutory rape

Indictments list four counts

By TERENCE CORRIGAN - Special to the T-G
Posted 11/27/21

The former youth minister at Beth Sar Shalom Church in Shelbyville — Esteban David Carrera Valenzuela — was arraigned Nov. 15 on four counts of statutory rape.

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Former youth minister arraigned for statutory rape

Indictments list four counts

Posted

The former youth minister at Beth Sar Shalom Church in Shelbyville — Esteban David Carrera Valenzuela — was arraigned Nov. 15 on four counts of statutory rape by an authority figure— offenses that allegedly involved sex with a female teenage parishioner.  

According to the indictments, Valenzuela, 30, first engaged in sexual relations with the girl when she was 15 years old, in March 2020. The other three counts allege he had sex with the girl in June, July and November of 2020.  

According to the indictments, the incidents all occurred at the church where Valenzuela was the girl’s youth minister.  

The offense of statutory rape by an authority figure alleges that (Valenzuela) “was, at the time of the offense, in a position of trust, or had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the defendant’s legal, professional, or occupational status and used the position of trust or power to accomplish the sexual penetration.” 

Valenzuela was arrested in late January of this year and was released on a $100,000 bond.  

Statutory Rape by an authority figure, when the defendant is at least four years older than the victim, is a Class B felony that carries an 8 to 30-year sentence and a fine of up to $25,000.  

If convicted, Valenzuela will not be eligible for release on probation.  

Valenzuela’s father, David Carrera, is the founding pastor of the Beth Sar Shalom Church, where Valenzuela allegedly committed the offenses.  

Other arraignments 

Beau Dawson Beecham, 31, was arraigned last week on four felony counts and one misdemeanor charge for a violent and chaotic series of events on Dec. 12, 2020.  

Beecham is accused of aggravated domestic violence for allegedly hitting his girlfriend in the head with a brick, causing a laceration on top of her head.  

According to the affidavit of complaint, the woman was “bleeding profusely and the blood was covering her whole face.”  

On that same night, as Beecham attempted to flee, he allegedly committed the crime of reckless endangerment, driving recklessly through Park Trail Apartments complex at night with no headlights, hitting “multiple vehicles” and cut through a yard where “numerous children were playing…”  

Beecham is also charged with aggravated assault for allegedly turning his vehicle toward a Shelbyville police officer, “nearly striking” the officer. 

Beecham is also facing a charge of accident resulting in injury for allegedly intentionally striking a vehicle occupied by two people and leaving the scene of the accident. The two people in the vehicle that Beecham allegedly hit were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.  

Joel Adam Alexander, 58, of Murfreesboro, was arraigned on three charges alleging domestic violence, destruction of property and burglary. The crimes allegedly occurred on Jan. 1, 2021 at a residence on Shoma Drive in Shelbyville.  

Alexander is accused of punching out a window of his ex-girlfriend’s home, entering her home and attempting to strangle her.  

Alexander is charged with aggravated domestic assault (a felony), Aggravated Burglary (a felony) and Vandalism (a misdemeanor.)  

Jason Eric Burke, 40, of Shelbyville, was arraigned on a charge of auto burglary and sexual offender registration form violation. Burke was convicted of statutory rape in 2001. Andreas Lucas Gomez, 48, of Shelbyville, was arraigned on charges of aggravated domestic assault and public Intoxication. Gomez was arrested on Aug. 2, 2021.  

Xavier Lamont Martez Ransom, 22, of Shelbyville, was arraigned on evading arrest risk of death or injury (motor vehicle) and driving with a suspended license. Ransom was arrested on Dec. 16, 2019.   

Billy Scott Spurgeon, 46, of Hohenwald, was arraigned on charges of DUI (a 4th offense) and simple possession/casual exchange of drugs. Spurgeon was arrested on May 8, 2020. Cleon Linus Van Stone, 30, of Shelbyville, was arraigned on two counts of “manufacture, delivery, sale or possession of Methamphetamines,” and contraband in penal Institutions (drugs in jail). Van Stone was arrested on Feb. 25, 2021.  

Larry Wayne Tyson, 64, of Shelbyville, was arraigned on two counts of DUI (a 4th offense) and driving with a revoked license (a subsequent offense). He was arrested on May 23, 2020. He was released on a $12,000 bond.  

Tyler Jacob Womack, 25, of Shelbyville, was arraigned on five counts of auto burglary and theft of property valued between $2,500 and $10,000. He was arrested in January 2021.