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Bertie County pastor has been indicted on child sex charges dating back 30 years

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published December 18, 2025 at 6:53 AM EST
Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin says 77 year old Pastor James Watford of Powellsville was arrested on child sex charges dating back to 1995. Watford, formerly of New Roundtree Temple Church of God in Christ, has since stepped down from his role.
Bertie County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin says 77 year old Pastor James Watford of Powellsville was arrested on child sex charges dating back to 1995. Watford, formerly of New Roundtree Temple Church of God in Christ, has since stepped down from his role.

A Bertie County pastor has been indicted on child sex charges.

Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin says 77 year old Pastor James Watford of Powellsville was arrested on child sex charges dating back to 1995.

Watford, formerly of New Roundtree Temple Church of God in Christ, has since stepped down from his role.

He faces two counts of felony statutory sex offense involving a 13to 15 year old, two counts of first degree kidnapping, and four counts of indecent liberties with a child.

Investigators began looking into the allegations in June.

Watford is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Annette Weston
Annette is an award-winning journalist based in Eastern North Carolina. Her career includes professional stops across the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast, recently culminating in a 2026 Region 8 Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Radio Best News Series for her work on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series. Guided by a passion for human-interest storytelling, she focuses on narratives that touch hearts and connect communities. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Annette enjoys reading and creating epic Halloween costumes in her spare time. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston