My sister and I know Derek very well. He was our youth pastor at Midway UMC. He was one of the kindest and most Godly men we have ever met. We've know him for around six years, and we don't believe for a second that he is capable of doing something like this. He loves his wife and kids more than anything and would never do anything to jeopardize that. He's the type of person who would drop whatever he was doing and come help you if you asked, We've never seen him without a smile on his face and a warm laugh to greet you. We trust Derek completely and have never felt uncomfortable in his presence, everyone we have talked to (that knows him) agrees that he could not be guilty of such an act and that he is a man after Gods own heart and would NEVER act in such a way. It breaks our hearts to think that someone would do this to such a great person. I hope these girls realize what a horrible thing they have done to such a great guy, and we can only hope that the truth will prevail in the end. We want Derek to know that we're praying for him and love him very much. He is a wonderful guy and doesn't deserve any of this!!!

I cannot imagine Derek ever doing anything like this. His friends in Palmetto, FL are praying for him and his family. By God's will may the truth be revealed.

This is awful and I can't imagine him ever doing something like this. It sounds like one of the girls said something when she was mad, and it got spread through the grape vine. If he is found innoncent, I hope the State Attorney goes after the girls, in this day in age, somebody can say whatever they want and it ends up ruining the life of somebody that has worked so hard with children his whole life, his life gets thrown away, and there is never any action taken on the accusers.

Derek is not a man capable of inflicting another person pain. We loved him at our Church and support him through his many days to come. You only had to hear his call to worship to know where his heart belongs. God, Church, Family. These are the things that make him such a warm man.

The moment I heard of this story, I knew it was not true. This is a travesty. I have known Derek since college and he is not capable of these accusations. I am very sorry for the young people who are creating this problem, they also deserve our prayer. I would stake my life on Derek's innocence. He is a great man and will be cleared of these mistruths.

thats rediculous i believe every word. he deserves to be in jail.

I have loved this family always and grew up with Brother Bud, Dereks father. And Derek went to Sunday school with my son. They are a pillar of our community and this is not possible. We pray for them daily here in Palmetto and know this is for a reason as everything is.