Ohio Megachurch Pastors’ Son Charged With Raping Children
Share and Follow

The adult son of the founders and pastors of an Ohio megachurch has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing at least one young child.

Gary Thomas Keesee Jr., 36, was arrested Friday at his home in Johnstown and charged with two counts of rape, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office said. The case will be heard by a Knox County grand jury on Monday, when more charges will be considered.

The Licking County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the allegations in February at the request of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, which said it had a conflict of interest because Keesee’s mother, Drenda Keesee, is a county supervisor, WSYX reported. Knox County officials initially asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, headed up by Attorney General Dave Yost, to conduct the investigation, but he also declined, saying that Keesee’s parents, Drenda and Gary Keesee, were personal friends.

“The suspect’s parents are personal friends and have been guests in the Attorney General’s home,” Yost posted on his official government Facebook page. “Due to this relationship, the Attorney General’s Office could not credibly conduct the investigation and informed the Sheriff of that fact. It was suggested that another Sheriff’s Office be brought in to handle the case, with an offer to assist in identifying one willing to do so if necessary.”

The Keesees are the senior pastors of Faith Life Church, which has campuses in New Albany and Powell and more than 3,000 members. The defendant, who goes by Tom Keesee, is the church’s former chief media officer, from which he resigned last August, according to the Christian Post.

According to the Post, Keesee’s sister, Kirsten McKinney, alleged publicly in February that she was a victim of her brother’s sexual abuse, along with another woman, Olivia Wooten. Both said they were abused when they were still minors.

According to WSYX, court records filed with Keesee’s arrest say the victim, who was not named, who made the initial report said she was abused when she was 5 and 6 years old and that she was raped on more than 50 occasions.

Court documents say other victims came forward in the course of the investigation.

Through a lawyer, Faith Life Church said it was “aware of the serious allegations concerning past coneuct involving a member of our church leaders’ family” and said it was cooperating with authorities and seeking legal guidance.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Navy Sailor Fires 30 Rounds at Roommates Following Alleged Assault on His Wife, Authorities Report

Inset: Taylor Lomax (Clay County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The Clay County, Florida,…

Teen Suspect’s Mother Delays Breaking News of Anna Kepner’s Death to Protect Marriage: A 32-Hour Silence

In a bitter custody dispute, recent court documents are casting new light…

Trump Administration Set to Challenge Lindsey Halligan’s Exit and Dismissal of Comey, James Cases

Left: New York Attorney General Letitia James presents the findings of an…

Miraculous Holiday Reunion: 43 Children Rescued in Intensive 12-Day Operation

On Thursday, federal officials revealed they have successfully rescued 43 missing children…

Out on Bail: Shocking Attempted Homicide Arrest Rocks Community

Staff Report NEWBERRY, Fla. – A young man is in custody following…

Myrtle Beach Pastor John Paul Miller Indicted in Wife’s Swamp-Death Case; Cyberstalking Allegations Emerge

John Paul Miller, a pastor from South Carolina, faces federal charges following…

Shocking Break-In: Gainesville Man Caught Sneaking into Apartment with Hidden Key as Resident Slept

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of December 18,…

Woman Sentenced After Attempted Family Murder: Shocking Details Revealed

Inset left: Mia Bailey (Washington County Sheriff’s Office). Inset middle: Joseph Bailey…