MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (WCMH) – The son of New Albany church leaders arrested Friday in connection to allegations of rape is now facing nearly 30 charges related to rape allegations out of Knox County.
A Knox County grand jury heard a presentation Monday morning from prosecuting attorneys against 36-year-old Gary "Tom" Keesee Jr., the son of Faith Life Church senior pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee. Tom Keesee was initially charged out of Mount Vernon Municipal court in connection with two separate allegations of rape, one in 2006, the other in 2001.
After Monday's grand jury hearing, Keesee is charged with 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Keesee, who previously served on the church’s staff, was served an arrest warrant Friday and taken into custody by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office at his Johnstown residence. His case is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
In February, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office asked the Licking County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the church for allegations of sexual abuse of minors because Dendra Keesee serves as a Knox County commissioner. Records obtained by NBC4 show there are potentially dozens of victims and witnesses with the alleged abuse dating back decades.
Whitehall passes resolutions to protect immigrants, deem city a LGBTQ+ ‘safe haven’A statement was issued from a law firm representing Faith Life Church. It read, in part, “The complaint alleges incidents that occurred approximately two decades ago that in no way involved Faith Life Church. The allegations have been investigated by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, and Faith Life Church has cooperated fully with the investigation.”
The Licking County Sheriff's Office and Knox County prosecutors will hold a press conference Monday at 3 p.m. at the Licking County Justice Center.
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