Arrest of Danville School Volunteer and Youth Director Stems from Texts, Photos to Teenage Boys

By Phil Pendleton
WKYT
October 27, 2015

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Arrest-made-in-connection-to-Danville-sex-crimes-337426551.html

Bobby Cassady

A Boyle County man was charged Monday with sending inappropriate text messages and photographs to two teenage boys.

Bobby Cassady, 28, was arrested Monday evening and charged with promoting sexual performance by a minor, unlawful transaction with a minor and portraying a police officer.

Police say they were contacted by a 17-year-old Sunday night. Danville police say an investigation was launched after the 17-year-old boy told police about "suspicious activity." That investigation led them to a 15-year-old boy.

Police say Cassady had a juvenile send him pictures over a period of several months. In a release, police said Cassady's activity "centered around improper text messages and photographs." Police did not provide any other details.

Cassady has worked as a volunteer with the Danville School system and was the youth director at Gethsemane Baptist Church. The pastor at Gethsemane Baptist says the allegations are troubling based on the man they hired two years ago to work with their young people.

Gethsemane Baptist minister Steven James says Cassady planned youth programs and taught Sunday School.

“I was rather shocked. Surprised," James said. "Devastated and broken-hearted. “We’ve never seen anything. Never had anything. Until this moment.”

James said Cassady has "always been well-respected and well liked."

"Respected and as their pastor, respectful to senior adults,” he said.

Cassady also was very involved in the Danville High School football program. He was a fixture there, doing many different things to help the football program. He also was involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the high school.

Court records do not indicate whether the victims were members of the church youth group or Danville High School students. But it does say that Cassady made reference to have arrest powers and being some kind of peace officer.

James says Cassady never gave them any reason for concern. The minister says he’s been suspended while the investigation continues.

“We vetted him real well," James said. "He came highly recommended from several sources.”

Cassady pleaded not guilty and he was being held in the Boyle County jail on a $100,000 cash bond.