Six women filed a civil lawsuit May 20 in Craighead County alleging church officials failed to stop years of sexual abuse committed by former children’s pastor Anthony “Tony” Waller in Jonesboro.
The complaint was filed by Stephanie Davis, Samantha Davis, Elizabeth Dryer, Victoria Collins, Taylor Perrin, and Jane Doe 1 against regional and national entities of the Assemblies of God denomination.
According to the lawsuit, Waller allegedly abused girls for approximately 15 years while serving in church leadership roles connected to children’s programs.
The complaint alleges Waller secretly installed hidden cameras inside church bathrooms and showers and recorded explicit footage of children. Plaintiffs claim Waller forced girls to perform structured “stretching exercises” aligned with camera angles.
The lawsuit further claims church leadership ignored warnings dating back to 2000 despite reports from the Jonesboro Police Department and complaints from victims and families.
According to court filings, Waller was arrested in 2015 after investigators reportedly discovered more than 400,000 images of child sexual abuse material. He was later sentenced to life in prison for child rape in 2016.
The lawsuit names Refuge Church of the Assemblies of God in Jonesboro, the Arkansas District Council of the Assemblies of God, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, former pastor Charles Michael “Mike” Glover, and church insurance carriers as defendants.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs allege church leaders failed to notify authorities and instead handled complaints internally while allowing Waller continued access to children.
A separate lawsuit involving similar allegations was previously filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court earlier this year.
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