Former Vestavia Hills youth pastor arrested in New Orleans, accused of fondling teen boys

By Carol Robinson
AL.com
July 1, 2015

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2015/07/former_vestavia_hills_youth_pa.html

Ryan Scott Rodgers

A former Vestavia Hills youth pastor has been arrested in New Orleans, accused of repeatedly touching two teenage boys while they were sleeping and making them pose in underwear.

Ryan Scott Rodgers, 36, surrendered to New Orleans police on Friday, June 26, according to NOLA.com. Rodgers is charged with sexual battery and seven counts of indecent behavior with juveniles. He formerly served at Liberty Park Baptist Church as youth pastor for six years.

New Orleans police on June 25 announced the charges against Rodgers in a press release. He was not in custody at the time, and had moved out of his apartment and was believed to be staying in hotels to avoid arrest. He turned himself in two days later.

Authorities said most of the incidents are reported to have occurred at Rodgers' Central City apartment, and said the boys were awakened by Rodgers fondling them. The victims told New Orleans Police Department Special Victims Section Detective Stephanie Taillon that Rodgers sexually abused them for over a year.

Police also said that during the course of the investigation, Taillon learned that Rodgers would buy the male victims underwear and make them pose in front of him. Rodgers is a youth minister at several local churches in Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes, but police didn't name the churches.

Detectives believe Rodgers sexually assaulted other victims during the same time period. The NOPD is urging any other victims to please come forward and contact Detective Taillon at 504-658-5753.

Liberty Park Baptist Church Pastor Scott Guffin said Rodgers was employed there from 2003 through 2009. Guffin said he was aware of Rodgers' arrest in New Orleans, and said they have not been made aware of any incidents happening during his time in Vestavia.