Former Associate Pastor of West Suburban Community Church Charged with Sexual Assault

By Karen Chadra
The Patch
March 18, 2013

http://elmhurst.patch.com/articles/former-associate-pastor-of-west-suburban-community-church-arrested-for-sexual-assault


The former associate pastor at West Suburban Community Church in Elmhurst was arrested Monday, March 18, and charged with 11 counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to a press release from Elmhurst police.

Darin L. Evans, 41, of 2481 Short St., Dover, Ohio, turned himself in to Elmhurst Police detectives Monday morning, the release states. He is scheduled to appear in DuPage County Court for a bond hearing on Tuesday, March 19.

Elmhurst Police detectives were notified last month of the abuse, which allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2006.

Jim Lennon, pastor West Suburban Church, 825 N. Van Auken, shocked his congregation Feb. 24 by reading a letter of confession from Evans that described a sexual relationship with an underage girl. As associate pastor of West Suburban, one of Evans' responsibilities was to oversee the youth ministry, Lennon said.

Evans, who moved with his wife and three teenage children to Ohio late last year, also was very involved with Elmhurst youth outside the church. He was a volunteer for YoungLife, served on the Elmhurst Commission on Youth and volunteered at York High School.

Criminal sexual assault is a Class 1 Felony, punishable by four to 15 years in prison, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class 2 felony, punishable by three to seven years in prison, according to the state Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA).