Ex-Youth Pastor Gets 8-16 Months Brian Neiswender Pleaded No Contest to Charges He Inappropriately Touched As Many As 10 Girls While on the Staff for a Church in Kingston, by Sheena Delazio, Times Leader, July 21, 2009

Ex-Youth Pastor Gets 8-16 Months
Brian Neiswender Pleaded No Contest to Charges He Inappropriately Touched As Many As 10 Girls While on the Staff for a Church in Kingston

By Sheena Delazio
Times Leader
July 21, 2009

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Ex-youth_pastor_gets_8-16_months_07-21-2009.html

WILKES-BARRE – A former Kingston youth pastor who pleaded no contest to charges he inappropriately touched as many as 10 girls while at the church was sentenced Monday to eight to 16 months in jail.

Brian Neiswender, 27, now of Clarks Summit, was sentenced on two counts of indecent assault and three counts of corruption of minors by Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., and was given three years probation following his prison sentence.

"I never wanted to hurt anyone," Neiswender said before hearing his sentence. "I know this whole situation has hurt a lot of people."

Brian Neiswender, 27, is led out of the Luzerne County Courthouse in shackles after being sentenced on indecent assault charges. Police say he had inappropriate contact with several teenage girls while he was youth pastor at their church in Kingston.
Photo by Clark Van Orden

Several of Neiswender's family members, including his father-in-law, wife Natalie and parents testified on his behalf.

"We were floored and disheartened," Neiswender's father, Scott Neiswender, said, when the family found out about the allegations.

Scott Neiswender testified about the outstanding boy his son was in grade school and college, and how he loved nothing more than being a minister and teaching the Christian faith.

"He's been punished enough already by losing his opportunity to continue as a pastor," Scott Neiswender said.

Neiswender's wife, Natalie, testified her husband has been a loving father to their two young children, as well as a supportive husband and faithful Christian.

Natalie Neiswender testified it has been a tough year for the family, but they are making it through, thanks to Brian Neiswender's emotional and spiritual support.

"I'm going to stay by his side and support him …," Natalie Neiswender said. "We're committed to working together."

Kingston police accused Neiswender of sexually assaulting three teen girls while he was a youth pastor at Christ Community Church on West Dorrance Street from September 2003 through February 2006, according to the criminal complaint.

The girls, all near the age of 14 at the time, told police Neiswender would place his hands on their chest during a game called "Crogs," a hide-and-go-seek game that is played in the dark, or during guitar or piano lessons.

Neiswender was ordered to have no contact with children under the age of 18, other than his own, and to stay away from the victims in this case.

Four girls, all now over the age of 18, testified Monday, telling Olszewski their lives have been changed forever.

"I no longer feel comfortable sending my younger sister to church," said an 18-year-old victim. "I wonder if I could ever lead a normal life."

Another 18-year-old testified Neiswender hasn't shown any remorse for his actions, and a 19-year-old said this part of their lives will never go away.

"This is a life sentence for me and the other victims," the 19-year-old said.

Another now 23-year-old victim called Neiswender a manipulator, and said Neiswender used her and other girls' problems they asked for counseling for against them.

Investigator John Jorda, of the Kingston Police Department, testified he has no doubt Neiswender did what the girls claim, even though he was a revered and respected minister.

"I've seen it all … this is one of the most disgusting cases I've ever been involved in," Jorda said, explaining to the nearly 20 friends and family members of Neiswender who were in court Monday that he's not the person they think he is.

"Brian (Neiswender) has an extremely dark side …," Jorda said.

Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Nancy Violi said that although only three or four girls came forward about these incidents, nearly 10 were involved.

"(The girls that came forward) wanted to make sure this didn't happen to anyone in the future," Violi said. "I'm very happy with the sentence. It sends a message. This gives (the victims) an opportunity to have some closure."

Contact: Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com