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	Youth Minister Accused of Sexual Abuse Associated Press, carried in Gazette April 22, 2006 http://www.crgazette.com/2006/04/22/Home/dewittministersexualabuse.htm Dewitt, IA - A youth minister who also served as a volunteer police officer is accused of sexually abusing a teenager. Theodore Hacker, 29, resigned as pastor of student ministries at DeWitt Evangelical Free Church shortly before being charged with molesting a 14- or 15-year-old earlier this month. Clinton County Attorney Mike Wolf would not disclose further details, but court records show the alleged incident occurred April 7. Hacker was arrested five days later and was charged with third-degree sexual abuse. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Hacker's resignation letter reads: "As you all may know, I have not been myself over the course of the last several months and that is due to sin in my life. ... I can't even begin to express my sorrow, my embarrassment and my shame for harming the name of Jesus Christ." The Rev. Casey Danley told KWQC-TV that Hacker worked with middle school and high school students at the church. He said the church was taking the allegations "very seriously." Hacker served as reserve captain with the Dewitt Police Department but was dismissed after being arrested, Capt. Mike Osmun said Friday. In January, Police Chief Gene Ellis presented Hacker with the department's Chief's Award for his contributions to the community as a police volunteer. Wolf said Hacker has been released on bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled May 2.
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