WFAA-TV

The pastor of a small church faces serious accusations.

Police arrested Leonard Ray Owens, 63, of the Prayer House of Faith Church on Friday night. The alleged sexual assault took place in July.

Those who know the pastor and self-proclaimed prophet expressed shock at the allegations.

Prayer House of Faith is a small church with about 50 members. The congregation started meeting at Owens' home, where he still meets and counsels with members, and where the sexual assaults allegedly took place.

A handwritten sign on the door to his house reads, "Prophet Owens." Neighbors said he might be home, but no one answered when News 8 knocked.

Neighbors would not go on camera to comment, but no one had anything bad to say about Owens or his church.

Church leader Shawnee Walker did discuss Owens' case, but asked that her face not be shown. "I've never seen him touch anybody in the wrong way in front of anything—not in front of me—and that part right there has really shocked me," she said.

Walker said the pastor has lots of visitors. "People are contantly over here—I mean 24 hours," she said.

According to an affidavit, a 22-year-old woman visited the home in July. The affidavit said Owens told her she needed deliverance from demonic spirits, instructed her to lie on the floor, removed her clothing, pinned her down and assaulted her.

Owens' accuser said she was lured back to the pastor's home and raped again a month later.

Walker said she has seen Owens perform a "deliverance."

"I've done some with him, because most of the time, Prophet is not even by himself," she said.

Owens was released from jail Saturday after posting $25,000 bond.

Fort Worth police said they will keep the case open and see whether anyone else steps forward.

E-mail ccavazos@wfaa.com