MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — A judge ruled on Friday that the case against Gregory Wayne Jones, a Mountain Home pastor accused of sexually assaulting women in his church, will move to district court.
Gregory Jones, former senior pastor at Liberty Christian Fellowship, appeared in Elmore County court Friday where alleged victim Tammy Barney provided hours of graphic testimony detailing years of alleged sexual abuse.
WATCH: Mountain Home pastor case moves to district court
READ MORE | Newly unsealed documents reveal disturbing details in pastor's sexual abuse case
Barney testified she met Jones in 2015 and viewed him as her "spiritual father." She believed church teachings required her to obey him or face what she called "demonic attack."
According to Barney's testimony, she confided in Jones about childhood trauma. She said he told her he studied psychology and recommended "healing sessions." Barney testified the sessions began with counseling and hugs but escalated to sexual touching in his office and in the church bathroom.
Barney said she asked several times to be "released" — a religious permission to end the process — but prosecutors say Jones would change his approach in the sessions to draw her back in.
Jones' defense attorney pressed Barney on text messages, pointing out that many show she was the one who initiated contact. The defense argued there was no threat, no confinement, and no trafficking, saying Barney's actions were motivated by belief, not coercion.
Barney responded that she followed the "process" Jones laid out, saying he referenced Hebrew Scripture about submitting to leaders to be profitable.
The court heard about "coded" messages, including one labeled "C-O," which Barney said meant "what's the color of your underwear?" and was meant to keep their communication hidden from her husband.
The defense pointed out that Barney testified she faked her arousal, arguing there was "not one statement that she told him, “I don't want to do this.’"
Prosecutors pushed back, saying Jones took advantage of his role as a pastor and Barney's mental health struggles and history of trauma, repeating phrases like, "this is what you want, this is what you need" to influence her behavior.
After reviewing the evidence, the judge found there was enough to send the case forward.
The judge ruled that a previous charge of human sex trafficking will not continue as part of the case. Jones is scheduled to return to court for his arraignment on Jan. 5, 2026.
RELATED | Plea agreement denied for former Mountain Home pastor charged with sex trafficking
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
