Former Youth Minister Will Stand Trial on Sexual Assault Charges

WPXI
July 13, 2017

http://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/former-youth-minister-will-stand-trial-on-sexual-assault-charges/557945229

A former Mt. Lebanon youth pastor will stand trial on charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl he was supposed to mentor.

Channel 11 first reported on Monday that Nicholas Lies, 21, worked at Southminster Church last year when investigators said he was with the teen.

Court paperwork said the sexual abuse started in April of 2016 and continued for five months.

Most of the incidents happened inside Lies' car at Bird Park, less than a mile from the church.

The victim was also in court Wednesday, but she didn't have to testify because Lies waived all the charges except one, meaning he's headed to trial.

"Right now he's pretty overwhelmed with his legal status," said Gary Gerson, Lies' defense attorney. "He didn't admit to anything, wasn't convicted of anything, he wasn't found guilty of anything today, he just didn't contest the charges."

Mt. Lebanon police said Nicholas admitted to some of the alleged crimes when they brought him in for questioning.

"He's going to have to put his life on hold until we get this thing resolved one way or the other," Gerson said. "He had intentions of going to college and right now that's all on hold."

Channel 11 contacted the church. A representative said there would be no comment.

Gerson believes Lies is not a volunteer there anymore.