UPDATE: Pastor accused of sending sexually-oriented texts to teen

The former pastor of the Living Waters Church in Ripley, West Virginia, has turned himself in to State Police. Troopers say Douglas Harper was wanted, accused of sending sexual text messages to a 15-year-old boy.

West Virginia State Police told WSAZ on Saturday they were looking for Douglas Harper because he was wanted after an investigation into sexual in nature text messages. Harper turned himself in, appearing in court in Jackson County Monday morning and WSAZ was there as he walked out.

Harper quickly walked away from our camera.

Court documents show the victim, a 15-year-old boy, had gotten into an argument on a church field trip in March. Harper resolved the disagreement because he was on the trip, too.

After that, investigators say Harper started texting the victim, asking him to send inappropriate pictures. Documents say the teen reported it to his parents, who then took it before leaders at the Living Waters Church. Harper was a pastor there at the time.

Church officials tell WSAZ when they confronted Harper about the messages, he admitted to sending them. The church says they removed Harper from his post as Pastor shortly after.

West Virginia State Police say Harper’s attorney brought him to the detachment Monday morning to turn himself in. Troopers with the Ripley detachment say Harper is out on bond and on home confinement, with a GPS location monitor until his next court appearance.

The church told WSAZ on Monday that they have offered and are paying for counseling services for Harper’s family and the others involved. The person adds they do not want their church known as not taking action in this situation, saying this was a major accountability issue church leaders have worked hard to address. They tell WSAZ many families have left the Living Waters Church through the course of this investigation, adding it was very difficult for many to continue to be a part of their faith community.

They added that church leaders have worked hard to address the investigation, but still help those involved as best they can to move forward.

A former Jackson County pastor has turned himself in after being wanted for solicitation of a minor.

Douglas Harper is charged with soliciting a minor by use of electronic device.

Troopers say Harper's attorney brought him to the detachment Monday morning.

According to the criminal complaint, in April, the Ripley Detachment of West Virginia State Police was notified of possible unethical behavior by Harper, who was a church pastor in Ripley at the time.

Troopers say the victim was a 15-year-old boy.

In May, officers were able to locate the victim's parents and spoke with them. Troopers say they were given a thumb drive and saw text messages sent to the victim from Harper.

Troopers also got a statement from the victim saying the messages started on April 12 and ended on April 17.

The criminal complaint states the victim says after attending a church field trip in March, he got into an argument with another person over Harper's daughter. The victim says Harper was made aware during the field trip and the problem was fixed.

The victim says when he got home, he started getting texts from Harper, according to investigators. The victim says this was fine at first because his mother was contacted by Harper.

West Virginia State Police says Harper allegedly wanted to speak with the victim about the argument.

The victim stated at some point during the texts, he became uncomfortable because Harper allegedly requested a picture of him in his underwear and before he took a shower. The victim says that's when he told his parents, according to the criminal complaint.

An elder with the church tells WSAZ that parents approached the church deacons on April 19, showing them texts they say were sent by Harper to a teen who attended the church that were sexual in nature.

The elder says the church deacons confronted Harper, who confirmed to them that he sent those texts.

Harper was formally removed as pastor from the church three days later at a church business meeting.

Harper is out on a $150,000 property bond and is on home confinement with a GPS location monitor until his next court hearing.

A former Jackson County pastor has turned himself in after being wanted for solicitation of a minor.

Troopers from the Ripley detachment of West Virginia State Police say Douglas Harper turned himself in Monday morning.

A state police investigation alleges that Harper sent multiple text messages to a teenager that were sexual in nature.

The victim is a 15-year-old boy.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ,com for updates.

An elder at the church where a now former pastor is wanted for solicitation of a minor has been arrested for interfering with the investigation.

Meanwhile the former pastor, Douglas Harper, remains on the run.

Another elder with the church tells WSAZ that parents approached the church deacons on April 19, showing them texts they say were sent by Harper to a teen who attended the church that were sexual in nature.

The elder says the church deacons confronted Harper, who confirmed to them that he sent those texts.

Harper was formally removed as pastor from the church three days later at a church business meeting.

State Police say they were informed of the incident in April. Harper is wanted for felony solicitation but his whereabouts remain unknown.

A Jackson County pastor is wanted by state police on felony solicitation charges.

West Virginia State Police are looking for Douglas Harper, 39, of Gandeeville in Roane County. A felony warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The Ripley detachment of West Virginia State Police received a complaint about ‘’possible unethical behavior’’ regarding Pastor Harper at the end of April.

Troopers say Harper serves as pastor of a church in the Ripley area.

A state police investigation alleges that Harper sent multiple text messages to a teenager that were sexual in nature.

The victim is a 15-year-old boy.

The Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office determined that the messages classify as soliciting a minor, according to troopers.

Troopers are not sure where Harper is right now and have been unable to arrest him so far. They say his information has been entered into NCIC, the National Crime Information Center, in hopes of tracking him down.

Once arrested, Harper will face charges for solicitation of a minor by use of an electronic device.

Another man is accused of interfering with the investigation and has been arrested. Troopers arrested the Cottageville man Friday. He is charged with giving false information to police. The charge is a misdemeanor, so WSAZ is not releasing that man’s name.

If you know where Harper is, give state police a call.