Auburn council member apologizes over prior support for pastor tied to criminal case, says declaration not part of court file

Council member Quentin Taylor used his remarks during the Dec. 1, 2025 meeting to address an October media article that referenced his prior support for pastor Joshua (Josh) Headley.

Taylor opened by expressing empathy for the survivor and saying "she deserves our full support and belief." He described his involvement: beginning around 2016 he met with Headley to discuss reestablishing a faith-based roundtable to help with homelessness, and Revive (the church Headley led) participated in community food distribution and holiday giving. Taylor said he drafted a declaration from his personal email acknowledging he was aware Headley was pleading guilty to an offense involving a minor and asked a judge to consider treatment rather than prison. "I do believe in restorative justice," he said, and described his intent as seeking healing and rehabilitation for those involved.

Taylor said he had no contact with Headley after a June 22, 2022 message and later read a police report in 2024 that left him "disgusted." He said the declaration is not part of the court file and that Auburn's legal department confirmed the declaration is not in court records based on public records requests. Taylor said he regretted drafting the declaration, has said so publicly, and that while some of the matter became political in 2025 he had remained silent until this prepared statement. He said this would be his only public comment on the matter.

The mayor acknowledged Taylor's statement and the council adjourned.