Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charge Against Former Tulsa Church Employee

A Tulsa County judge has refused to dismiss the charge against a man accused of sending lewd and indecent proposals to a 14-year-old girl he met when he worked as a janitor at a Tulsa church.

Judge William Kellough on Tuesday rejected a defense motion to dismiss the charge against former Victory Christian Center employee Israel Castillo.

Castillo has pleaded not guilty. His arraignment is scheduled for February 1.

Defense attorneys say Castillo didn't know the girl was 14. Prosecutors say he met the girl at a church youth camp and knew her age because he had known her for two years.

The defense motion had cited insufficient evidence presented as Castillo's preliminary hearing last year.

Castillo faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Another former church employee, Chris Denman, 19, was sentenced in December to 55 years in prison for raping a 13-year-old girl at the church.

12/12/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Judge Sentences Ex-Victory Christian Center Worker To 55 Years