FORMER youth detention chaplain charged with abusing minors

Wednesday, June 20th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A former chaplain at the Rader Center in Sand Springs is free on bond after being charged with sexual abuse of a minor. Bill Story turned himself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon to answer the four felony counts, then bonded out of jail.

Four teenaged girls made the complaint, but the chaplain denies the charges.

KOTV's Emory Bryan says one of the girls says the man who was supposed to be her spiritual counselor raped her. He's been charged - but says he's innocent. The Rader Center In Sand Springs houses some of Oklahoma's worst young criminals - but several of the teenagers complained they were victims - and accused the chaplain of sexual abuse. Lt Dan Graham, Sand Springs Police: "All four victims were residents of Rader. Suspect was a guidance counselor and supposedly a spiritual advisor for the individuals at that residence."

Prosecutors have charged 66-year-old Bill Story with four counts of sexual abuse of a minor. He was the chaplain at Rader from 1996 to April 30 of this year, providing religious education and religious services. His annual salary was $28,162. Besides his former job as chaplain, Story once served as Pastor at an independent Methodist Church. In a KRMG radio interview, the former pastor denied the charges. Voice of Bill Story: "But I did not touch harm or have any sexual contact even talk about that with these kids." Voice of John Erhling: "Why would these girls make these charges?" Voice of Bill Story: "That's going to come out, but I cannot say any more about it right now, I just want you to understand, that it came as a shock to me about the charges." Police were called to Rader after a teenager said she was raped.

Investigators found three others who said Chaplain Story had fondled them. Lt Graham: "I think that will be all of the victims at that location, if there had been any more, I think they would have come forward by now." Despite the confidence of police - and charges by prosecutors, Story says he's innocent. Voice of Bill Story: "I've never violated any of those children, and anybody who has ever worked with me knows this."

As for the victims, the 14-17 years old. Because they are juveniles, their criminal record is confidential.