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Crime and Public Safety

Son of Faith Life Church leaders found guilty of rape, other sex charges

A mug shot of 36-year-old Gary Thomas Keesee. He's the former media specialist for Faith Life Church in Powell and New Albany, and the son of the church's pastors.
Licking County Sheriff's Office
A mug shot of Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. He's the former media specialist for Faith Life Church in Powell and New Albany, and the son of the church's pastors.

A Knox County judge on Friday found Gary Keesee Jr. guilty of rape and other sex charges.

Judge Richard Wetzel continued Keesee's bond. Wetzel said Keesee will be sentenced on a later date.

Keesee's bench trial ended on Oct. 6.

Keesee faced 27 charges, including 11 rape charges and charges of gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Three women accused Keesee of abusing them between 2001 and 2004, when they were as young as six years old.

Keesee faced additional charges from an alleged fourth victim, but those were dropped in October.

The three women were members of Faith Life Church in Licking County. Keesee's mother, Drenda Keesee, and father, who is also named Gary, lead the church.

Drenda Keesee is also a Knox County Commissioner.

The Licking County Prosecutor's Office tried the case.

Allie Vugrincic has been a radio reporter at WOSU 89.7 NPR News since March 2023 and has been the station's mid-day radio host since January 2025.
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