IOWA
Des Moines Register
Written by
Grant Rodgers
The father of a former Des Moines youth pastor who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse hopes his son will be allowed to return to Ohio instead of going to prison.
Ryan Matthew McKelvey, 27, pleaded guilty last month to one count of third-degree sexual abuse and two counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or clergy after two female teenagers told police that they’d kissed and had sexual contact with McKelvey. McKelvey worked as a youth pastor at the Heritage Assembly Church and the two victims were students at the church’s unaccredited school, according to court papers.
Polk County District Court Judge Karen Romano is scheduled to sentence McKelvey on Monday morning. McKelvey could be sentenced to serve up to 20 years in prison.
McKelvey’s father, Keith McKelvey, is asking Romano to give his son a suspended sentence so he can return to the family’s home near Dayton, Ohio. In a letter last month written to the judge, the father wrote that his son will have a “support structure” and will receive counseling if he’s allowed to return home.
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