Posted at: 11/11/2009 3:31 PM

3 Missouri Men Charged in Sex Case are Lay Ministers

LEXINGTON, Mo. (AP) - Three of the five men charged in western Missouri with sex crimes against children are lay ministers in the Community of Christ church.

The five men arrested are charged with forcible sodomy, rape and use of a child in a sexual performance. Allegations include bestiality and forcing an 11-year-old to have an abortion.

Charged are: 77-year-old Burrell Edward Mohler Sr., of Independence, and his sons, 53-year-old Burrell Edward Mohler Jr., also of Independence; 48-year-old Jared Leroy Mohler of Columbia; 47-year-old Roland Neil Mohler of Bates City; and 52-year-old David A. Mohler of Lamoni, Iowa.

A spokeswoman for the Independence-based Community of Christ said Burrell Mohler Sr., David Mohler and Jared Mohler, are lay ministers but are not in positions of leadership or involved with youth.