An Ohio pastor who said that identifying as LGBTQ is a “health risk” is facing child rape charges.
Officers from the Wilmington Police Department announced that Silas Shelton, 48, has been arrested on four felony charges, including rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual contact with a minor, and gross sexual imposition.
According to WLWT, Shelton is accused of having an inappropriate sexual contact with a girl in the fall of 2019, when she was only 14 or 15 years old. The teen and her parents were reportedly members of his church, Blanchester Community Ministries in Blanchester, Ohio.
Authorities said the alleged abuse continued until 2025, with the victim reportedly indicating to detectives that she felt “trapped” in a relationship with Shelton because of his role as the pastor.
As Church Leaders report, Shelton has made headlines for his public remarks at community meetings. During a school district meeting in 2023, he spoke out about the sale of the “Heartstopper” book series at the district’s Scholastic Book Fair. The series of books features gay characters.
“I tell you, I got sick reading that stuff,” Shelton said during the meeting
Since Shelton was taken into custody on Oct. 15, he is now facing new charges from an incident in July 2025. Detectives say Shelton set fire to a home and an SUV. He is now facing additional charges related to arson.
Shelton pleaded not guilty on all charges.