Police: Sex Offender Arrested on School Property

Prince William County Police charged a registered sex offender Wednesday after he was allegedly on church grounds where a home school program was being conducted. 

Prince William County police responded to the scene at 2 p.m. on Oct 24 at Old Bridge United Methodist Church for a call about a "sex offender on school property." 

"The investigation revealed that the accused was inside the church while there was a home school program being conducted," said Prince William County Police public information officer Jonathan Perok in a news release. "The accused was participating in a separate, unrelated program at the church which was being held at the same time. Afterwards the accused was assisting with cleanup and entered one of the school classrooms occupied by seven children."

Police reports said that Joseph Thurman Gordon Jr., 63, "did not interact with any of the children, only the adult teacher present."

"Police were called when the accused encountered another church patron in the parking lot," said Perok in a release. "Officers arrived and confirmed the accused was a registered sex offender and, as part of the registry, was not allowed on the premises during school or daycare hours."

According to the Virginia state sex offender registry, Gordon was convicted in 1993 for aggravated sexual battery. 

Gordon was charged Wednesday with sex offenses prohibiting entry onto school or other property. 

Gordon's court date is set for Jan. 2, he was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond. 

Editor's Note: The above information was provided by the Prince William County Police. Where arrests or charges are mentioned it does not indicate a conviction.