70-year-old convicted sex offender met newest victim at church

By Anthony Pura
WEAR
July 12, 2016

http://weartv.com/news/local/70-year-old-convicted-sex-offender-met-newest-victim-at-church

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — A 70-year-old Milton man is accused of molesting a 7-year-old girl and police say he gained access to the victim by volunteering at his church.

Milton police arrested John Kelley Sr. last week.

Detective Stephen Mistovich said Kelley volunteered for the pantry at New Testament Church of Milton and it played a part in the crime.

"I believe that had a lot to do with it," Mistovich said. "There was a lot of trust."

It turns out Kelley has been convicted of molesting a child in 1987. He served five years for the crime.

The victim of that crime was 11-years-old at the time. Now she's grown up and told her story to Channel 3's Anthony Pura.

He molested me for many years," the woman said. "I told many family members but they looked the other way."

She said Kelley often goes by "Tommy." She is related to him. His crime against her only came forward because she told a teacher.

"I have to deal with the fact that he took my innocence and I have memories I can never erase," she said.

The woman said she's not surprised Kelley is once again accused of molesting another girl.

"A lot of people don't realize this isn't something you get rehabilitated for," she said. "This is a sickness that goes beyond that."

Police think there could be other victims, are encourage anyone who has a child that has come in contact with Kelley alone to contact authorities.

His past victim told us she's sure there's more.

"I got information a few months back that there were concerns he was alone with a little girl," she said. "When I saw (the current case) I thought this was connected. However, I realized it had no relation to my report at all, so that report is lost out there."

The pastor of New Testament Church said he had no idea about Kelley's past conviction. He also said if he's convicted he won't be back to work at the church pantry.

Kelley's name doesn't appear in the sex offender registry. That's because he was released before sex offenders were required to register. That's something his past victim wants changed

"He has been able to roam parks, he has been able to attend wherever," she said.