Who Is Danny Wells? Georgia Pastor Molests Homeless Girl Receiving Help From His Ministry

A Georgia pastor is in custody after being charged with sexually abusing a young homeless girl. The 10-year-old victim had been staying at a homeless shelter run by Danny Wells, also known as Pastor 7, when he allegedly molested her, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

While police in Cobb County expect more of Wells’ victims to come forward, the victim told detectives in Dothan, Alabama, that the pastor attacked her in a recovery center in Smyrna, Georgia, about 30 miles away from where he founded 7 Bridges to Recovery ministry. "The investigation into this incident is ongoing and there may be additional victims," police said.

Wells is said to have lived at The Garden, which is run by the ministry and houses 105 women and children and 25 men. The shelter’s website claims Wells initially lived a life of crime before finding God. "He had built his life around crime, centered on drugs, firearms, money laundering and the mafia. Once caught by the FBI, he was eventually placed in solitary confinement. While in solitary, God came to 7 and whispered in his ear that He would never leave him or forsake him," the website reads.

The church’s 990 tax form states that the 7 Bridges to Recovery ministry brought in more than $600,000 in 2015. Wells, who is the CEO, worked 60 hours a week without pay.

Following Pastor 7’s arrest, the ministry released a statement on its official website announcing their support for the leader of their church. The statement read, “We firmly believe this is a false accusation and are praying that the truth will prevail. We trust that God is sovereign and even though this has taken us by surprise, it did not catch God by surprise. He will be glorified and bring good from this entire situation.”

Wells was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated child molestation and rape. He is being held in Cobb County without bond.