Adventist pastor taken into custody over alleged sexual imposition
3 March 2025 |
A Seventh-day Adventist pastor in northeastern Ohio has been taken into custody and charged with gross sexual imposition following an investigation, according to WKYC in Cleveland. Jesse Santos was pastor of the Canton, Ohio, church. He has pleaded not guilty. According to 3News,
The incident dates back to Sept. 18, 2024, when the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a juvenile female who reported being touched inappropriately by a family member while camping at River Run Campground. Deputies and detectives responded to the scene and interviewed the female, who was found alone in the campground’s bathroom, and the male suspect.
The Ohio Conference released the following statement:
The Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was informed on February 15, 2025, that law enforcement took one of its employees into custody. We take this matter extremely seriously and are working closely with local police to address the situation. Our highest priority is the well-being of our members, our employees, and the public. Upon learning of the detention, the Ohio Conference immediately placed the employee on administrative leave.
We will remain in close communication with authorities in the coming hours and days and will provide additional information when we are able to verify the facts. Our prayers go out to those affected by this situation, and we ask all members of the Ohio Conference and people of faith to join us in asking God to bring comfort during this difficult time.
