Jeff pastor accused of sex offense dies

By Bobby Shipman
Courier-Journal
June 28, 2016

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2016/06/28/jeff-pastor-accused-sex-offense-dies/86481170/

David James Brown, 46, of Indiana, has been charged with one count of prohibited use of an electronic communication system for the purpose of procuring a minor for a sex offense.

A Jeffersonville pastor charged with seeking sex with a minor died Monday, according to a release from the church.

An undercover investigation nabbed David James Brown, 46, earlier this month, when he was charged with one count of prohibited use of an electronic communication system for the purpose of procuring a minor for a sex offense.

Brown was the head pastor at First Christian Church of Jeffersonville.

“We were deeply saddened to learn yesterday about the tragic passing of Dave Brown,” said Chad Boseker, a Youth Minister at the church. “Please pray for his family and our church.”

Brown traveled to Frankfort on June 15 to meet with a person he thought was a minor – in reality, an investigator who communicated with the pastor online – and was booked into Franklin County Regional Jail on a $10,000 bond.

According to online records, Brown posted bond on June 20 and was scheduled for a second preliminary hearing Tuesday at 1 p.m.

The charges alleged that Brown emailed the undercover investigator and asked through the KIK messenger application to meet the "minor" to engage in sex acts.

The church released a statement earlier this month related to Brown's arrest:

"This is a sad day for our church. On June 15th, we learned of criminal allegations against our Senior Pastor, David Brown, that cut to the heart of the trust placed in the church. We take these allegations seriously," the statement said.

Once the church became aware of Brown's actions, he was placed on temporary administrative leave and relieved of all his ministerial duties pending further investigations, according to the statement.

"We pray for everyone involved and we ask the community to pray for our church as we work through this difficult time," the statement said.

Clark County Coroner Terry Conway said he had no record of Brown's death.