MOUNT VERNON — The rape trial of a former chief media officer at Faith Life Church accused of multiple counts of sexual abuse has been rescheduled to Nov. 18. The original trial date was July 1. Defense Attorney Samuel Shamansky filed a motion on June 26 to delay the trial for Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. […]
Faith Life Church
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Knox County commissioner’s home searched amid son’s sex abuse charges
MOUNT VERNON — Licking County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant May 15 at the home of Knox County Commissioner Drenda Keesee. Commissioner Keesee and her husband, Gary Keesee Sr., live at 6040 Sharp Road. According to the warrant, the search was limited to photographs and/or videotaped images of the property for evidentiary purposes in […]
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4th victim alleges sexual misconduct against former Faith Life Church official
Editor’s Note: An arraignment is scheduled for June 3 at 1:30 p.m. MOUNT VERNON — A fourth victim has come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against former Faith Life Church media officer Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. Keesee was previously indicted on 27 sexual-abuse counts, including 11 counts of first-degree rape. A Knox County grand […]
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Knox County judge sets $2 million cash bond for former Faith Life Church official
MOUNT VERNON — Bond was set at $2 million Wednesday for a former Faith Life Church official charged with 27 sexual abuse counts, including 11 rape allegations. Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel set the cash bond for Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. during an arraignment in front of a packed courtroom, an audience […]
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Arraignment set for April 23 in case against Faith Life Church official
NEWARK — The former chief media officer for Faith Life Church will remain in the Licking County jail until his bond hearing and arraignment in Knox County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Licking County detectives arrested Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. at his Johnstown home without incident on Friday. He was taken into […]
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Keesee investigation involved 40 witnesses, multiple states
NEWARK — Licking County officials offered details Monday about a months-long investigation into sexual abuse allegations involving a former employee of Faith Life Church. The probe — detectives said Monday it is ongoing and active — led to a 27-count indictment against Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. Keesee, a former chief media officer of New […]
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Former Faith Life Church official indicted on 27 sexual abuse charges
MOUNT VERNON — A former Faith Life Church official was indicted Monday morning on 27 sexual abuse counts. A Knox County grand jury handed down the indictments against Gary Thomas Keesee Jr., which included 11 charges of first-degree rape. The church’s former chief media officer was also indicted on 11 counts of sexual imposition, a […]
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Faith Life Church ‘deeply saddened’ by rape charges, arrest
NEW ALBANY — The megachurch that formerly employed a man recently charged with rape involving a minor is “deeply saddened” by the news that broke earlier Friday. Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee, Jr., 36, was arrested Friday by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. He is the son of Gary and Drenda Keesee, who lead Faith Life […]
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Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. arrested on two counts of rape
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story may be updated if more details become available. NEWARK — The adult son of the two leaders of Faith Life Church was arrested Friday on two rape charges involving a minor. Gary Thomas Keesee Jr., 36, was arrested by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. According to a press release from the […]
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AG Dave Yost explains link to Faith Life Church founders
ASHLAND — The state’s top law enforcement officer has explained his connection to the owners of a megachurch that is under investigation for sexual assault. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recused himself and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation from investigating allegations of sexual abuse at New Albany-based Faith Life Church citing a conflict of interest. […]