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Trial Set for Former Des Moines Youth Pastor Accused of Abuse

By Grant Rodgers
Des Moines Register
September 16, 2013

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130916/NEWS/130916035/Trial-set-former-Des-Moines-youth-pastor-accused-abuse?gcheck=1

Ryan Matthew McKelvey / Special to the Register

A trial for a former Des Moines youth pastor charged with sexually abusing two teenage girls has been set for November.

Ryan McKelvey, 27, was charged with two counts of sexual abuse by a clergy and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse in August. McKelvey had served as a youth pastor at the Heritage Assembly Church in Des Moines, but had been dismissed from the position before his arrest.

McKelvey’s scheduled to go to trial on the charges on November 18, according to online court records. He’s remained in the Polk County Jail since Aug. 6.

The trial date was scheduled at an arraingment hearing at the jail this morning.

On Aug. 5 a 16-year-old girl and her parents reported the abuse to Des Moines police. During the investigation, police learned about a second victim who McKelvey reportedly abused.

One of the girls told police that McKelvey pushed her against a refrigerator at her home to perform a sex act, according to a Register article. He reportedly texted her after the incident and asked her not to report the incident.

McKelvey reportedly told the other victim that she could never join the ministry if she reported the assault.

The pastor at Heritage Assembly Church told police that McKelvey was dismissed from his job at the church because he was lazy and for “spending too much time with the female juveniles of the church,” according to a police report.

McKelvey has a wife and child, according to a Register article.

 

 

 

 

 




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