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	Family Sues Convicted Rapist for Damages By Jessie Balmert Advocate June 11, 2010 http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100611/UPDATES01/100611021/1002/NEWS01 NEWARK — A family filed another lawsuit against a former associate pastor convicted of rape, alleging he inflicted emotional distress in addition to the sexual abuse. The complaint, filed Thursday by attorney Beverly Farlow, requests more than $250,000 from Lonny J. Aleshire Jr. who sexually assaulted the girls, now 22 and 20, while he worked at the Licking Baptist Church in Hebron. Between late 2004 and December 2005, the girls reported the sexual abuse to the American Baptist Churches of Ohio and others, according to the complaint. In December 2005, the family requested a meeting with the American Baptist Churches of Ohio and congregation of the Licking Baptist Church, according to the complaint. No meetings occurred. The complaint states a candlelight vigil was conducted for Aleshire, and he conducted a sermon from jail. The family alleges the congregation and Aleshire ostracized them and blamed them for his acts, according to the complaint. Because of that abuse, the girls suffered mental anguish, loss of self-esteem and physical injury, according to the complaint. Aleshire pleaded guilty to six counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, three counts of sexual imposition and one count of rape on Nov. 28, 2005, according to court records. Since then, he has recanted his guilt and the Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled the trial court could determine if potentially new evidence in the case should be reviewed. A different civil lawsuit filed against Aleshire, the church and numerous other Baptist entities was dismissed last year. The complaint filed Thursday lists only Aleshire as a defendant, according to court records. Under Ohio law, Aleshire will have 28 days after receiving the complaint to respond. Jessie Balmert can be reached at (740) 328-8548 or jbalmert@newarkadvocate.com
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