Youth Minister Guilty of Sex Crimes, Cincinnati Enquirer, February 22, 2010

Youth Minister Guilty of Sex Crimes

Cincinnati Enquirer
February 22, 2010

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20100222/NEWS0107/2230309/Youth-minister-guilty-of-sex-crimes

Christopher E. Evans, 39, could get up to 50 years in prison when sentenced April 26 by Judge Victor M. Haddad of Common Pleas Court. He also faces a fine of up to $100,000.

BATAVIA - The former youth minister at a Clermont County church pleaded guilty this morning to sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct involving a 15-year-old girl.

Christopher E. Evans, 39, could get up to 50 years in prison when sentenced April 26 by Judge Victor M. Haddad of Common Pleas Court. He also faces a fine of up to $100,000.

Evans said little during the hearing. As defense attorney James K. Ferris and the prosecutor conferred with the judge, Evans bowed his head and wiped tears from his eyes with a handkerchief.

After serving any prison time Haddad might impose, Evans will be required to register as a sex offender with local police every 90 days for the rest of his life.

A full-time minister at Saltair Church of Christ on Ohio 222 in Tate Township for more than two years, Evans faced up to 100 years in prison after being indicted Dec. 16 on 10 counts of each charge. He entered the guilty plea after the prosecution agreed to drop half the charges, which spared the girl from having to testify at a trial.

The judge allowed Evans to remain free on his own recognizance so long as he has no contact with the girl, but Haddad said that could change.

Assistant Prosecutor Bill Ferris, who is unrelated to the defense attorney, "just now became aware of some letters that may have been sent by you to the victim," the judge said to Evans. "I don't have those letters, and I'm not going to react to them until I see them. ...

"If those letters are real and they say some things that are disturbing to the court, (the prosecutor) may ask me to set a hearing on your bond," the judge said. "Here's what you need to know: You're going to sink or swim based on what you've done and on what you do. ... I'm capable of putting you on (probation), and I'm capable of giving you 50 years and sleeping like a baby."

Evans had been acting as a parent to the girl, the prosecutor told the judge.

She had been living with Evans, his wife and their children on Pitzer Road, but the teen has been reunited with her parents, Brother Bob Wickline, senior minister of the church, told The Enquirer.

At first, "it was a very innocent situation," Wickline said. "The girl's parents were moving out of the area. She wanted to finish her school year in the Bethel area. The parents agreed. ...

"It became a more permanent situation," Wickline said. "She became a part of (the Evans) family, and they attended church here together."

Evans began a sexual relationship with the girl in mid-July, and it continued until authorities were notified Dec. 7, Sheriff A.J. "Tim" Rodenberg said.

"The authorities had no knowledge of this at all until I went (to police) with information I had received" from the wife of Evans, Wickline said.

"His wife is one of the most exemplary, sweet, Christian women you will ever meet," Wickline said. "It was only through her concerns and the church's participation that this came to light. ... We responded to it immediately in the proper manner."

Evans was full-time youth minister to the congregation of about 400 people from November 2007 until December of last year.

The nondenominational church was founded in 1948. Its Web site calls it "a down-home country church where folks are still the salt of the Earth."

The girl was a member of the congregation's youth group, but there was no indication any abuse took place at the church or during church activities, the sheriff has said.

Evans had lived in the 3200 block of Pitzer Road in Tate Township, but since his arrest has moved to U.S. 62 in the Macon area of Brown County. He had no known prior criminal record, according to the sheriff's office.