Pastor Charged With Sexual Assault

People understandably tend to trust pastors and other church employees. These are supposed to be good people who help others, not hurt them. They’re supposed to follow the law.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many pastors use their position of trust to groom victims. They may assault children and other church members.

Police from Pennsylvania have charged a South Carolina man with sexual assault after an alleged incident with a minor in 2024. The child and pastor were on a trip to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, last year. They were all staying at a church member’s home when the alleged assault occurred.

The pastor has not been arraigned in Pennsylvania but is facing various charges in South Carolina, including charged with felony aggravated indecent assault without consent, felony corruption of minors, misdemeanor indecent assault without consent, and misdemeanor child endangerment. He is also facing charges in Oconee County, South Carolina, where his home is located. He was booked into the county jail on 12 counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, and two counts of second-degree assault and battery.  Like all criminal defendants, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

An investigation by Pennsylvania State Police began when they received a call from the victim’s father on March 13, 2025. He told them he believed his 16-year old-daughter was assaulted the previous summer. He claimed that the girl had likely been sexually abused by the family’s pastor in August 2024. The victim’s family had stayed with the pastor at a church member’s home while on the trip to Chambersburg and this is when the alleged abuse and sexual assault began.

Upon returning home to South Carolina, the victim reported the sexual abuse by the pastor.  Further investigation revealed that this was likely not the first time the pastor had preyed on minors, as there were reports of inappropriate touching and sexual assault of another child several years prior.

Contact Us Today

When a trusted religious or youth leader abuses a child, the harm can last for years.  If you or a family member have been subject to sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior by a religious or youth leader, contact  a Columbia sexual abuse & trauma lawyers from Simmons Law Firm. We are ready to stand up for you and your family and hold religious organizations and their employees accountable for the harm they have caused. Schedule a consultation today by calling (803) 779-4600 or filling out the online form.

Source:

tristatealert.com/pastor-already-charged-with-numerous-sex-crimes-in-south-carolina-now-facing-charges-in-chambersburg/