The sheriff also said the previous charge of felony indecent liberties lodged against the minister in 2014 still stands.

Meinsen, according to court records, is scheduled to appear in Halifax County Superior Court on March 14 to face the charges lodged against him.

Tripp would only say the latest charge against him came about through continuous investigation of the case.

The case, according to court documents reviewed at the time of his 2014 arrest, centers around the investigating detective finding probable cause the minister of New Life Church of Christ in Roanoke Rapids “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did take and attempt to take immoral, improper and indecent liberties” with the victim in the case — a girl who was under the age of 16.

The arrest warrant continues Meinsen, 47 at the time, allegedly did so “for the purpose of arousing and gratifying sexual desire. All the time the defendant was over 16 years of age and at least five years older” than the child.

Tripp said the law explains the crime of sexual battery means it was committed for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or sexual abuse.

A district court judge in November of 2014 found probable cause to bound the case to superior court.