The son of Ohio megachurch pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee today was indicted on 27 sex abuse charges, including 11 counts of rape.
A Knox County grand jury charged Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee, Jr., 36, with 11 counts of first-degree felony rape and third-degree felony gross sexual imposition, according to the Knox County clerk’s online records. He also was charged with five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony charge.
Prior to last summer, Tom Keesee worked as the chief media officer at Faith Life Church in New Albany, Ohio—the megachurch his parents founded. Tom is also the creator of Faith Life’s musical, “Fire and Ice,” which uses minors as performers, The Roys Report (TRR) previously reported.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells praised the women who came forward with their stories of abuse by Keesee.
“These courageous, young women have spoken out and come forward, and they are to be commended for their bravery and supported,” Wells said.
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Keesee was arrested last Friday on a warrant that referenced three victims. One of them was 5 or 6 years old when the alleged abuse occurred. Keesee sexually touched the victim 50 times, according to the arrest warrant by Licking County Sheriff’s Office.
Keesee allegedly abused a second victim, starting when she was 8 and continuing “nearly 100 times” until she was 15, according to the arrest warrant filed in the Mount Vernon Municipal Court. Keesee allegedly abused a third victim when she was 10 or 11, the warrant states.
All three victims are former members of Faith Life Church and knew each other as kids, said Wells, who is the special prosecutor assigned to the case, at the press conference. Police traveled to multiple states and interviewed about 40 witnesses, Wells said.
“I do want to commend the Licking County Sheriff’s Office for their extensive investigation which led to the case being presented to the Knox County Grand Jury today,” Wells said.
Licking County, where Faith Life Church is located, took the case after two other law enforcement entities declined to investigate due to the political connections of Drenda Keesee, a Knox County Commissioner.
A public petition, which included allegations from Keesee’s own sister, increased pressure on authorities to investigate. A second online petition alleged that Faith Life covered up Tom Keesee’s abuse and called for Keesee’s resignation from her role as county commissioner.
“It’s been a case that’s drawn a lot of attention, but I just want to make sure everyone realizes our focus is on the victims,” said Randy Thorp, sheriff of Licking County, at the press conference today. “That’s what matters to us.”
In addition to pastoring Faith Life, Gary and Drenda Keesee have a financial show on embattled Daystar TV, called “Fixing the Money Thing,”
Wells said none of the offenses occurred at Faith Life Church and all of them occurred before 2012. Some of the charges are from when Keesee was also a minor, Wells added.
Some charges carry a mandatory sentence of 10 years to life if convicted, Wells said. Due to the seriousness of the charges, Wells considers Keesee a flight risk.
An attorney for Faith Life Church issued a press release after Friday’s arrest denouncing abuse and stating the church was not involved.
“Faith Life Church decries all forms of sexual abuse and stands with survivors of such abuse in faith and prayer,” the press release states. “The complaint alleges incidents that occurred approximately two decades ago that in no way involved Faith Life Church.”
A press release from the Ohio megachurch also stated the Keesees would not make any further public statements until the case is done.
“As this case proceeds through the legal system, we will refrain from further public comment out of respect for due process and the individuals involved,” the press release stated. “We remain ready to cooperate with any legal inquiries as needed.”
Tom Keesee’s arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday in the Knox County Common Pleas Court, Wells said. Bond will be set at that time, Wells said. In the meantime, Keesee is being held in Licking County Justice Center.
Wells said the investigation is ongoing and asked for any other victims or witnesses to contact authorities.
Rebecca Hopkins is a journalist based in Colorado.
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4 Responses
They have a nice building.
Not once they pay out all the civil damages in the litigation to come.
Gary and his wife obviously don’t love tom or they would have taken him to the authorities themselves where he had a chance of repentance and they obviously don’t love their church members as this man was allowed to run amok leaving a trail of victims in his wake I am praying for them all and that justice is now done
“Faith Life Church decries all forms of sexual abuse and stands with survivors of such abuse in faith and prayer,” the press release states. “The complaint alleges incidents that occurred approximately two decades ago that in no way involved Faith Life Church.”
in no way, other than employing (and continuing to employ) the abuser, giving him access to the children he abused. All 3 of these victims were members of the church and knew each other there.
Also 2012 is just over ONE decade ago- sure the abuse STARTED two decades ago, but continued for a decade- weird that they don’t see that as problematic. Or consider that abuse that went on for a decade probably didn’t STOP at the end of that decade, but that these are the three victims that now have a decade of growth and healing to be able to talk about it.
gross gross gross. Until the american evangelical church has a reckoning about how it assigns and wields power and authority, we will continue to commit these atrocious harms to our most vulnerable members, and defend the abusers.