Billy Masters - Repeat Sex Offender

A preacher who is a convicted sex offender has been arrested on new sexual abuse charges, DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said.

Billy Masters, 66, was charged this afternoon with first-degree sexual abuse following a five-month investigation, Harris said.

An incident involving Masters, a preacher at Harvest Baptist Church in the Kilpatrick area, was reported to Sheriff’s Department investigator Mary Waters in January, Harris said.
The victim in the incident was a male under the age of 12, who was a member of the church congregation.

Masters was convicted in 2001 for sodomy involving three male victims of similar age, Harris said.

Masters served time in prison and was released in 2007, when he registered as a sex offender with the Sheriff’s Office. His information was current at the time of his arrest.

A search at Masters’ home, which has a Boaz address but is in DeKalb County, was done about a month ago.

Masters’ computer was seized during that search, Harris said. However, it appeared the hard drive in the computer recently had been removed and a new one installed.

Masters was arrested at his home this afternoon without incident, Harris said.

He remains in the DeKalb County jail without bond. He also will face charges for violating his parole from the earlier conviction, Harris said.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte