Trial Set in Ex-wilson Youth Pastor Statutory Rape Case

By Andy Humbles
The Tennessean
September 15, 2015

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/wilson/2015/09/15/trial-set-ex-wilson-youth-pastor-statutory-rape-case/71997908/

Christopher Ross

A trial date was set Tuesday for a former youth pastor of a Lebanon church charged with 10 counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, though his attorney still didn’t rule out a plea agreement.

Christopher Douglas Ross, 44, of Mt. Juliet had his case set for trial April 26-27, in Judge Brody Kane’s Wilson County courtroom.

Plea bargain discussions have been ongoing and continued up to Tuesday morning prior to Ross’s scheduled disposition hearing for Ross, his attorney Jeff Cherry said.

“Both sides are interested in a resolution that doesn’t require a trial, if possible,” Cherry said.

Ross was booked in January after being indicted on allegations he had sex with an underage victim in 2012 after inappropriate advances that had started two years earlier. Ross hadn't worked at the church in at least a year at the time of his arrest, according to the Wilson County Sheriff's Office.

Ross, who had been free on a $50,000 bond, did appear in court Tuesday.

Reach Andy Humbles at 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @AndyHumbles.

Christopher Ross, far left at the podium, and his attorney Jeff Cherry to his right, in court Tuesday. Ross's trial date was set for April 26-27, though a discussions about a potential plea agreement are expected to continue. (Photo: Andy Humbles / The Tennessean)

ahumbles@tennessean.com