Married North Carolina pastor arrested after groping man at Walmart

A pastor has been arrested and charged with groping a man at a Walmart.

According to police, Jeffrey Smith, 67, approached a man in the men’s room of a Walmart in Mebane, North Carolina, and “grabbed the victim’s genitals” through his clothing.

The arrest warrant accused Smith of “touching the victim… forcibly and against the other person’s will.”

Smith reportedly fled. He was arrested behind a nearby Sheetz gas station.

He was charged with one count of sexual battery. If found guilty, he could spend up to 90 days in jail and be placed on a sex offender registry, attorney Daniel Meier told WRAL.

“The unique thing about sexual abuse is that it is a recordable sexual offense,” said Meier.

‘If you are convicted, you must be on the sex offenders register for at least 30 years.’

Smith shared just four months ago that he and his wife celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary

Smith has been a pastor at Mebane Presbyterian Church for 25 years

Smith has been a pastor at Mebane Presbyterian Church for 25 years.

Previously, he was a pastor at Wabash Presbyterian Church and served as an organist and choir director at several churches.

Last month, Smith gave a sermon at his church about forgiveness and grace.

He discussed the sermon ahead of the meeting on Facebook, writing, “We all appreciate it when someone gives us a ‘break’ when we make a mistake.

Smith has been a pastor at Mebane Presbyterian Church for 25 years

It appears that Smith has been placed on “administrative leave” from his church as the case remains pending.

‘But how merciful are we when someone insults us?’

Smith announced four months ago that he and his wife were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

Smith has reportedly been placed on “administrative leave” by his church as the case continues.

Smith posted $3,000 bail and was released on the day of his arrest.