For many years, there has been a long-simmering scandal involving the US military and its reluctance to address sexual harassment and assault against women connected to the armed forces. Similarly, the debacle of the Southern Baptist Convention and its refusal to take abuse seriously continues, even as the denomination talks a good game.
Now, Anglican Watch has learned that True Vision Church (TVC), a San Antonio-based church that is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, has managed to tie abuse in the military and abuse in the SBC together in one not-so-nifty package. Specifically, the church is keeping documented abuser and former Army NCO Corey Mobley as an elder, board member, and officer despite knowing of his previous sexual misconduct.
According to his social media, Mobley is an elder with TVC. He previously served as a student minister and a youth minister. Additionally, Mobley states he is an “advocate” and a foster parent.
Mobley also operates as a “social media public figure,” typically under the handle “Bro Cory.”
Mobley’s misconduct in the Army
Public records (form DA 4430 continuation sheet) reveal that the Army court-martialed Mobley for indecent acts and indecent exposure occurring in or about October 2002, despite apparently being married at the time. Two women, both employees of defense contractor PPDG, accused Mobley, resulting in an alleged reduction in rank to E3 (a relatively junior enlisted position) and 60 days’ confinement. (Anglican Watch is not releasing the names of these women.)
Less than two years later, one of the women who complained about Mobley’s conduct lost her job, which raises the question of whether this was retaliation.
More of the same
Mobley soon proved, however, that he didn’t learn about jack diddly from being court-martialled.
Within a year of his court-martial, Mobley resurfaced at the Department of Defense’s Dog Center at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, which is home to several hundred dogs used in the military.
Why there? Our hunch is that the military thought Mobley couldn’t find much trouble to get into at this assignment. That overlooks the fact that predators — and we believe the word describes Mobley perfectly — almost never abuse just once. Instead, by definition, they follow a pattern of boundary incursions, manipulation, abuse, and gaslighting, all covered up by a smokescreen in which they appear as an angel of light.
Enter Michelle Jubinal
Soon after Mobley surfaced at Lackland Air Force Base, a lifelong dream came true for Michelle Jubinal, an area resident, by way of being hired by defense contractor Ameritech at the DOD Dog Center’s Medina Training Annex, or MTA.
Ever since childhood, Michelle dreamed of working with animals. She held firm to her dream, even though family members warned her that following her passion wouldn’t make her wealthy. Coming from a background of very limited means and being a single parent, Michelle was acutely aware of the importance of hard work, saving, and planning for the future. Nonetheless, she was overjoyed to be working with dogs as a certified veterinary technician.
It wasn’t long, though, before Mobley made sure that Michelle and others knew that he was a minister and carried his Bible in his briefcase.
Yet, despite his announcement, Michelle alleges that within weeks, Mobley exposed himself to her and held her against her will. Michelle reported the incident to a female enlisted person with whom she worked.
Not surprisingly, Mobley soon tried to kick dust into his tracks by telling others that the Lord had “convicted” him to work on his marriage, even as he managed to wiggle in as a Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) representative for the unit.
TDY, a fauxpology, and sexual harassment
By early October 2005, the military assigned Mobley to several days’ temporary duty, or TDY, elsewhere.
And while Michelle was probably glad not to have Mobley around, her relief was short-lived; upon his return, he got on his knees and apologized, even as he exposed himself and attempted to have sexual relations with Michelle in the unit’s x-ray room.
Michelle rejected Mobley’s advances, leading Mobley to retaliate by submitting a request for her termination.
As a result, Michelle’s employer placed her on probation, even as she notified officials of her plans to file a formal complaint of sexual harassment. And just to confuse things, the contract on which Michelle was working was re-awarded to PPDG.
Retaliation
Michelle’s complaint resulted in every victim’s worst nightmare coming true. Military officials and others met with PPDG representative Nadia L. Chavez, who now serves as a deacon at Rockhills Church, an RCA member church.
The result was an investigation, not of Mobley, but instead of Michelle.
In a subsequent meeting—which improperly included Mobley—PPDG told Michelle that they had determined that she had complained about sexual harassment in order to save her job. Mobley joined the fray, denying that any sexual harassment had taken place.
Clericalism, anyone? Did anyone, including in the military, bother to check Mobley’s record? Remember, this is a guy who’d already been demoted in rank once before.
Roughly a week later, PPDG fired Michelle despite no prior disciplinary actions, no progressive discipline, and no complaints about the quality of her work.
Soon after, Michelle filed a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC. Things rarely move quickly at the EEOC, but a year later, the EEOC issued a Determination Letter finding that PPDG had retaliated against Michelle.
True Vision Church learns of the abuse
Just days after she received the EEOC determination, Michelle informed TVC about her abuse and the EEOC’s decision.
The result? Exactly what you’d expect from an SBC church — deafening silence.
The Air Force investigates
Soon after, Michelle faxed a three-page letter to the base commander outlining her abuse.
An extended investigation ensued, resulting in the Air Force’s decision to discharge Mobley under Chapter 14, 12(b), which allows for the removal of military personnel for patterns of misconduct.
Not to be outdone. Mobley sent in a written rebuttal, claiming he was merely addressing poor work performance—despite the EEOC’s findings.
But days later, the military issued Mobley a final written reprimand, saying in part:
this counseling is to notify you of action taken against you based on the formal investigation for conduct inappropriate of an NCO by the Commanding General. – effective immediately you will not to supervise or counsel any female Soldiers or civilian females within this command or the MWD Center without another NCO present. The type of inappropriate conduct that has been addressed in the enclosed packet will not be tolerated within this command and will be punished under UCMJ.
In other words, the military busted Mobley big time.
Additionally, the military issued a Bar of Reenlistment Certificate, which prevents a Soldier from re-enlisting at a future date.
Finally, the military began separation proceedings against Mobley, resulting in his discharge.
So why does True Vision Church still have Mobley around?
Why does True Vision Church still have Mobley around?
That’s a good question, and we don’t have a definite answer. TVC did not respond to our messages, nor did the San Antonio Baptist Association (SABA). Indeed, the latter sent TVC a letter about the matter but now claims the letter is privileged.
That begs the question: If, as the SBC claims, churches are independent entities, how can a letter between two independent entities be “privileged?” Further, if everything is above board, why wouldn’t SABA want to show the public and SBC members that it takes abuse seriously?
Nor can anyone at SABA claim ignorance. We called/left messages and emailed SABA executive director Dr. Darrell Horn. Nothing.
Moreover, this is not an individual case of alleged harassment. Instead, we know of three victims, and based on the military’s finding of a pattern of misconduct, we wouldn’t be surprised if there were more.
Nor is there any excuse for having someone as a church elder/officer when they have lied to cover up their evil, thereby further hurting their victims. Anyone who lies like that gets zero respect from us but instead merely proves they are a predator.
The need to make things right
We also note that neither the military, nor TVC, nor PPDG have done anything to repair the harm they caused. Yes, there was an EEOC-mediated settlement with PPDG, but the painful reality is that Michelle has had to scramble for a new job and has never really been made whole. That’s particularly important at a time when the military and the federal government both outsource so many programs to low-cost federal contractors.
Meanwhile, Mobley is on social media, talking about “spiritual blessings ” and other topics. But to use the Biblical standard, “by their fruits you shall know them,” Mobley is an adulterer, a liar, an abuser, and, given his pattern and practice of misconduct, a predator. So whatever spiritual blessings he’s pulling down, apparently they haven’t made a whole lot of difference.
We hope members of Congress will act to restore Michelle to federal service. We believe that TVC needs to have its version of a Chapter 14, 12(b) discharge and give Mobley the heave-ho, even though he is an officer of the corporate entity behind TVC and a church elder.
A final word to the inevitable attorneys
A final word to the inevitable attorneys: These are all allegations. But we have spoken directly with Michelle and find her credible, sincere, and caring. Further, we believe that the written documentation supports the conclusions we’ve made.
Of course, if anything in this post is inaccurate, TVC, SABA, and Mobley himself are welcome to contact us. But our first question will be: “You’ve known about this issue for years. Why are you ignoring it?”
We stand with Michelle Jubinal and all victims of abuse.
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