Ex-youth pastor accused of sex crimes involving girl, 14

San Antonio Express-News
December 28, 2016

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/crime/article/Youth-pastor-accused-of-sex-crimes-involving-10822561.php

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — A former youth pastor at a suburban Atlanta church is jailed on child molestation, statutory rape and sexual battery charges, authorities said Wednesday.

Nicholas "Nick" Kelley, 34, who worked at New Bridge Church in Lawrenceville, had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, Gwinnett County police said.

Kelley began fostering a relationship with the child as a counselor in December 2015, and that led to sexual contact taking place at the church and in local parks, police said in a statement.

After the girl's parents found out what was happening, Kelley on Tuesday told the pastoral staff at New Bridge Church about the relationship, and the staff contacted police, police said.

Kelley was also fired from his position, the church said in a statement Wednesday.

Jail records do not list an attorney for Kelley who could be reached for comment.

"Though detectives do not have specific information about additional victims, we strongly urge adults who attend this church to have a serious conversation with their children about their contact with Kelley," Gwinnett police said in a statement announcing the arrest. "In situations like this where a youth pastor uses his access to children and position to satisfy a sexual appetite, it is always a concern that there are unknown victims."

Church officials say they're cooperating with police, and say they're confident that no other children are involved.

"Thus far, we are confident that this was an isolated incident and no other students were involved," the church said in its statement Wednesday.

"Our commitment is to continue to offer our help to the impacted principal parties and their families, offering assistance in accordance with biblical guidelines, all the while remaining available and fully cooperative to the investigative process by the local authorities," the church added.