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Oklahoma man accused of church rape waives hearing

TULSA — A former worker at a Tulsa megachurch accused of raping a teenage girl in a campus stairwell has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Modified: October 11, 2012 at 10:51 am | Published: October 11, 2012

TULSA — A former Oklahoma church janitor charged with raping a 13-year-old girl has waived his right to a preliminary hearing, agreeing to let the case against him proceed.

Prosecutor Tim Harris says the girl was prepared to testify at a hearing Thursday in Tulsa. Instead, 20-year-old Chris Denman agreed to return to court Oct. 22 and enter a formal plea.

Denman faces life in prison on first-degree rape and forcible sodomy charges. He also is accused of lewd molestation.

Harris says there have been no plea bargain negotiations.

Denman was arrested Sept. 5 on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl and molesting a 15-year-old girl at Victory Christian Center. Police also say five other workers at the 17,000-member church waited two weeks before reporting the alleged rape.