The son of the co-pastors of Faith Life Church in New Albany and Powell has been indicted on 27 charges including rape, gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Gary Thomas Keesee Jr., 36, was indicted Monday in Knox County.
Keesee faces 27 felony counts, including 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition and five counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
According to the indictment, the alleged crimes happened between May 2002 and October 2011.
During a press conference Monday afternoon at the Licking County sheriff's office in Newark, Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells that there were three victims, all girls between the ages of 6 and 15 at the time.
The girls were members of the church, but Wells said there was no evidence to suggest the abuse happened at the church. Some have since moved out of state.
Wells commended the victims for coming forward.
"These courageous young women have spoken out and come forward and they are to be commended for their bravery and supported," Wells said.
Keesee held different roles at the church over the time the abuses took place. Wells said some of the abuse happened while he was also a minor. When asked if any other adults would face charges in relation to those incidents, Wells said the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators have interviewed around 40 witnesses. They say the investigation is ongoing.
Keesee was arrested on Friday at his residence near Johnstown.
Keesee is in the Licking County jail. His bond has not been set. Authorities said he is considered a possible flight risk. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Knox County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.
Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp stressed that the victims are the main focus of the case.
"It's been a case that's drawn a lot of attention, but I just want to make sure everyone realizes that our focus is on the victims. That's what matters to us," Thorp said.
He added that after several other law enforcement agencies declined to investigate due to conflicts, the Licking County Sheriff's Office felt obligated to take the case because the church is in Licking County.
Thorp said some victims came forward in December, but Licking County didn't get the case until Feb. 7.
"We felt that justice wasn't being served to these victims. So that was our purpose for taking the case," Thorp said.
Keesee's mother is Knox County Commissioner Drenda Keesee. She, along with her husband, also named Gary, are pastors of the Faith Life Church. Gary Keesee Jr. did media work for the church.
On Friday, Faith Life Church's lawyer, Katari Buck, released a statement that said the criminal complaint alleges incidents that happened about two decades ago that did not involve the church.
The statement also said the church has fully cooperated with investigators.
"We know this is a difficult time for our community, our congregation, and all families involved," the statement said.
