Former Pekin Youth Pastor Charged with Child Sex Abuse

By Michael Smothers
East Peoria Times-Courier
September 4, 2014

http://www.eastpeoriatimescourier.com/article/20140904/NEWS/140909595/10082/NEWS

Pekin

A former youth pastor with a Pekin church was charged this week with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child in Peoria County and is under investigation for a similar alleged crime in Pekin.

Nicholas Lawrence, 26, of Pekin, remained Thursday in Peoria County Jail on $100,000 bond that was set when he was charged in court Tuesday.

He served as pastor of youth services at Pekin Church of God from October 2012 until his dismissal June 30, the church’s pastor said Thursday.

“It’s an ongoing investigation,” said Pastor Johnny Creasong. “Until we know more we don’t have anything else to say.”

Details of the Peoria County charge against Lawrence were not yet available Thursday morning. The alleged victim, however, was “a young child,” said Pekin Police Public Information Officer Mike Eeten.