Following an investigation, Cunningham was fired and reported to police. Lakeside Baptist Church also contacted leadership at Turning Point Community Church.
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In August 2025, Cunningham was hit with 16 more counts of sexual assault of a child after investigators uncovered the details of Cunningham’s alleged abuse. Prosecutors alleged that in addition to sexually assaulting teen victims, Cunningham was also physically violent with the victims.
Investigators also indicated that Cunningham moved from church to church to evade the consequences of his alleged abuse.
Cunningham has now entered a guilty plea for two of the charges against him as part of a sentencing agreement. He has been sentenced to 40 years in prison and must serve at least half of that term before becoming eligible for parole.
Cunningham will also be required to register as a sex offender for life. He has been credited with 650 days of time served.
“This case has the most manipulative, and horrific spiritual abuse that I have ever seen while in this job,” said prosecutor Lubbock County Assistant District Attorney Cassie Graham. “The levels that this predator went to keep his abuse secret and to dangle the salvation of the victims as well as their family members and loved ones above them to gain their compliance and their silence is what makes this particularly heinous.”
Prosecutors Claim Cunningham Sought To Have Victim Killed
In addition to his years of sex abuse, prosecutors also allege that while in jail, Cunningham attempted to conspire with another inmate to have one of his victims murdered and to have her death staged as a suicide.
Cunningham allegedly offered the inmate $15,000 to kill the victim and detailed to the inmate, who was set to be released, several details about the victim, including where she lives and works.
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“All very detailed things that could be corroborated,” said Graham.
