By Jessie Balmert
Newark Advocate
January 5, 2011
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20110105/NEWS01/110105006/1002/Former-pastor-found-guilty-sexual-abuse-
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| Daniel L. Monk, 47, speaks as he changes his plea to no contest Wednesday morning, Jan. 5, 2010, in Licking County Common Pleas Judge Thomas M. Marcelain's courtroom in Newark. Monk pleaded no contest to two counts of sexual battery and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Monk, a former pastor of Soul's Harbor Pentecostal Church, was accused of kissing and having sex with a 16-year-old girl at least twice. / Matthew Berry, The Advocate |
Despite attempts to delay, a 47-year-old former pastor was found guilty Wednesday of having sex with a 16-year-old congregant.
Daniel L. Monk, last known address 1025 Kelly Drive, Hebron, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of two counts of sexual battery, each a third-degree felony, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a first-degree misdemeanor. He could face up to 10 years in prison and a $21,000 fine for the offenses.
Between June and September, Monk had sex with a 16-year-old girl who was a congregant at Soul's Harbor Pentecostal Church, 12180 Lancaster St., Millersport, at her Hebron residence, Licking County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Huston said.
Monk told police he had counseled the girl before becoming a father-figure and later "boyfriend," Huston said.
On Aug. 28, the Hebron Police Department received a call from the girl's mother, saying she had noticed an inappropriate relationship between her daughter and Monk, said Hebron police Lt. Larry Brooks. Monk had sent her hundreds of text messages and met her at odd hours of the morning, according to court records.
Monk resigned as pastor of Soul's Harbor Pentecostal Church and surrendered his license that affiliated him with the Pentecostal church about a week before his Sept. 18 arrest, said J. Mark Jordan, supervisor of the United Pentecostal Church's Ohio District.
Monk came to court for his jury trial Wednesday with attorney Matthew Dawson, who was hired the night before. He fired attorney Karen Phipps, who had been his attorney since September.
Dawson asked that the case be continued so he could familiarize himself with possible defenses and his client, who he first met at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. He also wanted to review evidence that could be suppressed.
Huston called the change a delay tactic and said Monk had ample time to prepare for trial. The victim and her family have a right to closure, he added.
"I want to move on with my life knowing I'm a good person and good things are going to happen to me," the girl told law enforcement in court records.
Licking County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Marcelain denied Monk's requests for a continuance and accepted his no contest pleas.
Sentencing will occur at a later date after Monk and others are interviewed by Licking County Adult Court Services.
Jessie Balmert can be reached at (740) 328-8548 or jbalmert@newarkadvocate.com
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