14 News Investigates: Convicted Sex Offender Working at Madisonville Church

WFIE
April 15, 2016

http://www.14news.com/story/31729677/14-news-investigates-convicted-sex-offender-working-at-madisonville-church

[with video]

14 News received several anonymous tips from people concerned that a convicted sex offender might be working at a Madisonville church.

14 News followed up on those tips and found a convicted sex offender with a lengthy criminal history is working at Truth Apostolic Church, as part of their outreach ministry staff.

That man is Thomas Hopper.

He's also on the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry, convicted of rape and sodomy of a 13-year-old girl in the early 90's.

Hopper's criminal history continued with two other convictions in the early 2000's.

We've brought you stories on Tommy Hopper before, including jail house interviews.

According to a representative at the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry office in Frankfort, Hopper's only restriction is that he has to get permission before he's allowed on school property.

Pastor Michael Orten at Truth Apostolic Church says the church has policies in place to protect Hopper and protect the youth.

Hopper and a team of volunteers are in charge of recruiting new members to the church, according to the church website.

The website for Truth Apostolic Church, as of Thursday afternoon, is not working.

Pastor Orten says the entire congregation knows about Hopper's history.

Watch the video above for the whole story.