June 05, 2015 Statement by Pastor Bill Finnerty about

June 05, 2015
Statement by Pastor Bill Finnerty about indictment of Roy Battle
Open Door Baptist Church has been working with the Rochester Police Department and the
Monroe County District Attorney’s Office since July 2014 when we first learned of an allegation
of inappropriate sexual contact of a teenage boy.
We immediately began to contact families of potential victims and urged them to contact
Investigator O’Shaughnessy of the Rochester Police Department with any information.
Furthermore upon the indictment of Roy Battle in April 2015 by the Monroe County Grand Jury
we then explained the situation to the church congregation as a whole, in light of the possibility
of more victims in the Rochester community, and asked them to assist with the investigation in
hopes of a successful prosecution.
Roy Battle as well as all Youth Ministry workers are screened and must submit to background
checks as well as receive routine training as to a strict code of conduct not to be alone with
children at any time.
Police reports indicate that all instances of sexual abuse by Roy Battle occurred at his private
residence in the City of Rochester and not on church property or at church sanctioned events.
Roy Battle served as a youth ministry volunteer. He at no time was a paid church staff member
or was even considered to be a Pastor. Roy Battle moved to California around August of 2012.
The church staff and families are deeply saddened and appalled by the actions of Roy Battle.
We are praying for the affected individuals and their families during this difficult time. We
request that the victims who have come forward would have their identities protected.
-Pastor Bill Finnerty
350 Chili Scottsville Road Churchville, NY 14428
Phone: 585-889-3220 Fax: 585-889-3261
www.opendoorchili.org