Victory Christian Center employee Chris Denman waives preliminary hearing

TULSA - A former Victory Christian Center employee suspected of rape and molestation and who pleaded not guilty last month waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday.

Three girls -- ages 12, 13 and 15 -- have come forward against Chris Denman, 20, with the allegations. Denman faces charges of rape, molestation, lewd proposal to a minor and using a computer to facilitate a sex crime.

Denman was due in court for at 9 a.m. He's now scheduled to appear in court Oct. 22.

The original accusations against the former church intern have ignited a firestorm in recent weeks as six other Victory Christian employees have been arrested -- one Israel Castillo for making a lewd proposal to a minor and using a computer to facilitate a sex crime and five others for failure to report child abuse.

Among the five were John Daugherty, Victory Christian youth pastor and son of senior pastor Sharon Daugherty, and wife Charica Daugherty.

A lawsuit filed by one of the alleged victims' parents also accuses Sharon Daugherty of having knowledge.

Victory Christian has released five statements (https://www.victory.com/mediastatement) in response.