CANTON (OH)
Canton Repository [Canton OH]
February 25, 2025
By Charita M. Goshay
CANTON − A Stark and Wayne County pastor is accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a minor during a camping trip last year in Ashland County.
The Rev. Jesse Santos, 59, pastor of the Canton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Plain Township, was initially arrested by Stark County sheriff’s deputies on Feb. 15 and held at the jail in lieu of bond for the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, where the complaint originated.
Santos faces charges of kidnapping, a first-degree felony; two counts of gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony; sexual imposition, a third-degree misdemeanor, and endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor.
The charges allege Santos, who lives in Lake Township, took a 14-year-old girl against her will and had sexual contact with her on Sept. 17 and 18 while camping in Ashland County.
He was arraigned Tuesday by Ashland County Common Pleas Magistrate Emily Bates.
Santos, who remained in the Ashland County Jail on Tuesday afternoon, attended the arraignment via video, represented by attorney Catherine Meehan. He made no comment during the hearing.
A surety bond of $250,000 was set. If released, Santos was ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device, ordered not to contact the alleged victim or her family, banned from using drugs or alcohol, and will be placed under a curfew at his home.
Ashland County Assistant District Attorney Matthew Metcalf informed Bates that DNA evidence was found to support the charges. He also said that members of the church have been trying to contact the victim and they shouldn’t be.
A jury trial has been set for May 20.
Santos, who also is connected with Seventh-day Adventist churches in Massillon and Wooster has not responded to prior requests for comment.
The Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists issued the following statement on Tuesday evening:
“The Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was informed on Feb. 15, 2025, that law enforcement took one of its employees into custody. We take this matter extremely seriously and are working with the local police to address the situation. Our highest priority is the well-being of our members, our employees and the public.
“Upon learning of the detention., the Ohio Conference immediately placed the employee on administrative leave.”
“We will remain in close communication with authorities in the coming hours and days and will provide additional information when we are able to verify the facts. Our prayers go out to those affected by this situation, and we ask all members of the Ohio Conference and all people of faith to join us in asking God to bring comfort during this difficult time.”
(This is a breaking story and may be updated as new information becomes available.)
Staff writer Kelli Weir contributed to this report.
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com.