Camp Sonshine, the camp of St. Clair Baptist Association, has closed down for the summer after its interim director was charged with enticing a child for immoral purposes.
Larry Ray Palmer, 59, was released from the St. Clair County Jail in Ashville April 20 on $50,000 bond.
"I won’t deny the charge," Palmer said, according to The (Talladega) Daily Home. "I messed up, and I know that."
According to court documents, the incident for which Palmer is charged happened at Camp Sonshine and his residence Feb. 23.
The documents state that Palmer enticed a 13-year-old boy "into his residence and other locations for the purpose of viewing pornography, mutual masturbation and sexual touching."
Ben Chandler, director of missions for St. Clair Association, said that following the arrest, the camp’s summer sessions — previously set to run June 11–July 20 — were suspended.
No further plans have been announced yet.
The camp, located just north of Pell City, averages about 300 campers per summer, Chandler said.
Palmer is expected to make his first court appearance May 23.
According to The Daily Home, St. Clair County District Attorney Richard Minor said April 20, "[t]he investigation is continuing."
He noted that enticing a child for immoral purposes is a Class C felony and if convicted, then Palmer could be sentenced from one year and one day to 10 years in prison. (TAB)
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