The conclusion of a notable case linked to the defunct Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ has been reached, involving accusations of misconduct dating back to the 1970s.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Decades after committing his offenses, a former church leader from Jacksonville faces the possibility of spending the next two decades incarcerated.
Jerome Teschendorf, now 70 years old, was handed a 20-year prison sentence at Florida State Prison on charges of capital sexual battery, to be followed by five years on probation as a registered sex offender.
This marks the sentencing of the last suspect in a prominent case related to the Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ located on Old Kings Road. Authorities assert this complex case involved numerous victims and allegations of abuse reaching back to 1970.
The investigation kicked off following a tip-off in September 2020 and gained momentum after a significant police operation on March 9, 2022, at the church and school premises, which led to several arrests.
Prior to Teschendorf’s sentencing, two survivors provided poignant testimony, highlighting the enduring effects of the abuse they endured.
One of them was Teschendorf’s former stepdaughter, Lisa, who described abuse beginning at age five and continuing for most of her childhood.
She said Teschendorf constantly monitored her and her family, placing hidden cameras and recording devices throughout the home, all while abusing Lisa both physically and sexually.
“He would sit at the end of my bed and cry and ask me to forgive him, then repeat the acts again,” said Lisa. “That’s why I said ‘Forgiveness is for mistakes — it’s not for choices.”
Jennifer, another survivor and childhood friend of Lisa, also spoke. She said she never opened up about her traumatic experiences until detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reached out at the beginning of the investigation in 2020.
“To this day I question my faith,” said Jennifer. “I wonder how God could allow this to happen and how differently life would’ve turned out, what it would have been like to live without unexpected triggers in situations that haunt me, or even how my reactions to things might be different or even non-existent.”
Teschendorf did not acknowledge the victims in court, remaining stoic and fixated forward as the judge delivered the sentence. He had previously pleaded not guilty after negotiations with prosecutors, getting rid of the possibility of life in prison and labeling him a sex offender rather than a sexual predator.
In interviews with First Coast News, victims likened the church to a cult, recalling “public humiliation” events, leaders branding “outsiders” as evil, and members being forced to attend school and church seven days a week.
The other two suspects in the investigation are already serving their sentences.
Vernon Williamson received life in prison while the church’s founder, Pastor Paul Dyal, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child. He was sentenced in May 2025 to five years of probation with no unsupervised contact with minors.
The victim impact statements were acknowledged as central to Wednesday’s outcome for Teschendorf. After court, Lisa and Jennifer told First Coast News they believed some justice was finally served.
