The son of the founders of a United States megachurch has appeared in court charged with rape and other sexual offences.
Gary Thomas ‘Tom’ Keesee Jr, 36, pleaded not guilty to 27 counts, 11 each of rape and gross sexual imposition and five of unlawful sexual conduct. He’s accused by multiple women of grooming them when they were minors into trusting him and then of having sex with them.
Three of the alleged victims were 6 to 15 years old at the time. Keesee was 12 when the alleged abuse is said to have begun in 2001. Detectives say more alleged victims came forward after the first one did so.
Keesee is the son of Gary and Drenda Keesee, who founded Faith Life Church in New Albany, Ohio in 2008. They both attended the court hearing.
Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel set Keesee’s bond at $2 million and ordered him not to contact the victims. He must also wear a GPS monitor and surrender his passport and driver’s license.
Keesee resigned from a position at Faith Life Church last August. Speaking after the hearing, his lawyer, Sam Shamansky, said:
“I recognize the tension that this case has garnered and the numerous allegations, numerous victims. It’s a serious matter, and we’re taking it seriously.”