Kearney Youth Leader Accused of Sexual Assault

By Kim Schmidt
Star Herald
August 9, 2013

http://www.starherald.com/news/regional_statewide/kearney-youth-leader-accused-of-sexual-assault/article_39de6eb4-012a-11e3-868f-0019bb2963f4.html

KEARNEY — A Kearney man is free on bond after being charged with sexually assaulting two boys 12 years ago.

Thomas Anthony Jones, 37, is charged in Buffalo County Court with two counts of felony sexual assault of a child on Jan. 1, 2001, in Kearney.

According to court records, the alleged victims, now ages 23 and 15, reported that their former church youth leader, Jones, allegedly exposed himself to them and touched their private parts. The alleged victims -- who would have been 11 and 3 at the time of the alleged assault -- reported the abuse Tuesday.

Jones was a youth leader at Lighthouse Foursquare Church at 3520 Ave. F.

Benjamin Rosenzweig, the church's pastor, said Jones hasn't been a youth leader for several years, and when he was, it was as a volunteer.

A Kearney Police Department report listed Jones as a youth pastor, but he never had that position, Rosenzweig said. The title of pastor requires licensing, he said, which Jones never obtained.

Jones, who has been attending the church, was interviewed by KPD and was arrested Wednesday. Judge Graten Beavers set Jones's bond at 10 percent of $5,000, and he must post $500 to be freed. He also was ordered not to have any contact with any juvenile younger than age 21 without another adult present.

Jones is scheduled to appear in court later this month. If convicted, and if he isn't placed on probation, Jones faces up to five years in prison on each count.