Married Texas megachurch pastor must pay $2.45 million to woman he met on Facebook after giving her HERPES
- Ralph Douglas West II is pastor of Church Without Walls in Houston
- The victim’s lawyer said he admitted that “his son’s mother” gave him herpes
- Douglas’ father, Pastor Ralph Douglas West, is the church’s founder
A Texas pastor was ordered to pay $2.45 million to a woman she met online after he gave her herpes.
Ralph Douglas West II, the associate pastor of the Church Without Walls in Houston, was found guilty of assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and fraudulent concealment.
After a three-day trial and six hours of deliberations, a jury concluded Thursday that West gave the victim genital herpes after they met on Facebook five years ago.
“It can’t be fixed, it’s on her for the rest of her life,” said the woman’s attorney, Shaun Murphy, as Click 2 Houston reported.
Douglas’ father, Pastor Ralph Douglas West, is the founder of the church, which has over 24,000 members across three locations.
Ralph Douglas West II, associate pastor of the Church Without Walls in Houston, was ordered to pay $2.45 million to a woman she met online after he gave her herpes
West reportedly admitted to having herpes when the victim asked him about it, saying it came from his son’s mother
The unnamed victim suffered an outbreak a few days after meeting the assistant priest and then tested positive for herpes.
She knew West was the cause because she hadn’t had sex with anyone else and had previously tested negative, Murphy added.
West reportedly admitted to having herpes when the victim asked him about it, saying it came from his son’s mother. West is pictured on his social media with a son, but it is unclear if he is married.
The lawyer said he was able to prove to the jury that West knew he was infected with the sexually transmitted disease but lied about having unprotected sex with the woman in March 2018.
The assistant pastor must now pay $1,450,000 in compensatory damages and $1,000,000 in compensatory damages – believed to be the highest payment ordered in such a case.
According to the church’s website, West is a pastor at the Eldridge campus.
The Christian Church claims on its website: “[embrace] Thousands of families meet at three locations and hold six services every Sunday.
Rev. West Sr. is a vocal supporter of critical race theory and is even associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, whose Council of Seminary presidents have denounced critical race theory and intersectionality as incompatible with their beliefs.
Douglas’ father, Pastor Ralph Douglas West (left), is the founder of the church, which has more than 24,000 members at three locations
Rev West Sr. and his two sons work together at Church With No Walls in Houston
In an essay for the Baptist Standard, the senior pastor wrote, “Their anti-racism stance rings hollow when in the next breath they reject theories that have been helpful in framing the problem of racism.”
Despite the scandal surrounding the founder’s son, one church member took to Facebook to support the West family.
“My faith in the Lord and my support for my pastor and his family will not be affected by recent events.” “I will continue to lift and support them in prayer,” wrote Kim Walker.
“These are difficult times. Please respect your privacy in this matter. I ask in the name of Jesus that we as a people do not denigrate this family.” Compassion and forgiveness are what Jesus teaches us for all of God’s children. Life presents us all with various trials and hardships and we will ask Jesus for forgiveness of all our sins. Let us not judge, but rather forgive.”
But the general public has not been so forgiving, with many on social media calling for West to be fired.
“There is no way a human being can mount a staff or a pulpit.” I’m sorry. You have to take the responsibility more seriously. “He needs to sit down,” said one X user.
“Lol my mom and I were just talking about how to spot a false prophet and here’s a mega pastor from Houston who was found guilty of knowingly spreading herpes,” another added.
It is not clear whether West will continue to preach at the church.
has reached out to the church for comment on this story.