Gallia Pastor Arrested at Church, Charged with Sexual Abuse of Teenager
WSAZ
[with video] UPDATE 10/17/12 @ 10:30 p.m. GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A trust betrayed -- that was the feeling in Gallia County Wednesday night where a man of the church is now in jail, charged with sexual assault. Police believe there may be more than one victim. The news is really hitting home for church members at Simpson Chapel United Methodist. "It's a beautiful church, and it has a lot of beautiful people in it," said Ginny Showalter of Rio Grande, Ohio. Showwalter is still proud to call herself a member. She's just ashamed of what her pastor's accused of doing. "It's very shocking," she told WSAZ.com. "I think it's a criminal situation for our membership. They do not deserve to be disgraced like this." David Young was arrested Tuesday at the church in Rio Grande. He is charged with unlawful sexual conduct of a minor. Investigators with the state's Crimes Against Children Unit say Pastor Young is accused of sexually assaulting a teenager -- who was 13 or 14 at the time -- and was part of a class the pastor taught through the church. Gallia County Sheriff Joe Browning says the Ohio Attorney General's office is investigating if there may be more victims out there. "We're hoping to get to the bottom of what happened with them," the sheriff said. "But also, if there are any other victims out there, we want to find that out, as well." Investigators wouldn't comment on how often the alleged abuse happened or where it may have taken place. Showalter and her adult daughter are probably like most folks at the church, still in disbelief over the whole thing. "If you do something and somebody doesn't believe in you anymore, it's just very hard to get it back," Diane Clark said while chatting with her mother on her family's front porch. Young's case will be presented to the next grand jury in Gallia County. ORIGINAL STORY GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A Gallia County pastor is facing charges after investigators say he sexually abused a teenager. According to a press release from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, agents with the Crimes Against Children Unit, which is part of the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, assisted deputies with the Gallia County Sheriff's Office in the arrest of David Young Tuesday afternoon. Investigators took Young into custody at the Simpson Chapel United Methodist Church in Rio Grande, Ohio, where he is the pastor. According to the release, Young is accused of sexually assaulting a teenager between the ages of 13 and 14 who was part of a class he taught through the church. "These allegations are extremely distressing because Ohioans should be able to trust people in positions of authority," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "We will go to all lengths necessary to hold those who commit crimes against children accountable." Gallia County Prosecutor Jeff Adkins officially filed the felony charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor against Young Wednesday afternoon. The case will now head to a grand jury. Authorities are not commenting on the frequency of the alleged abuse or the locations where the incidents may have taken place, according to the release. Investigators, however, are warning the community that there could be other victims. "These are very serious allegations, and we urge anyone with additional information to come forward," said Gallia County Sheriff Joseph Browning. "We are thankful to the Attorney General and the agents with Bureau of Criminal Investigation who quickly took action to help us investigate these allegations of abuse." Young is currently in the Gallia County Jail. Anyone with additional information regarding David Young can contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446) or the Gallia County Sheriff's Office at 740-446-1221.
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