Former Iowa Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse Charges

By Shellie Nelson
WQAD
February 12, 2014

http://wqad.com/2014/02/12/former-iowa-youth-pastor-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-abuse-charges/

Ryan McKelvey photo from Polk County Jail

A former youth pastor pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse involving a teenage girl.

Ryan McKelvey, 27, was charged after the alleged victim and her parents told police she had been sexually assaulted. McKelvey, a former youth pastor at Heritage Assembly of God Church in Des Moines, was identified as the suspect.

Investigators later discovered a second victim. Court records show both victims were minors under the age of 18.

McKelvey was charged August 7, 2013, with two counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse.

McKelvey pleaded guilty after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors Tuesday, February 11, 2014. Court records show that was the day before McKelvey was to stand trial for the charges.

Sentencing was set for March 24.

McKelvey was held in the Polk County Jail.