OWENSBORO (KY)
Kentucky Today [Louisville KY]
February 17, 2026
By Mark Maynard
A worship pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was terminated after being arrested Monday night on multiple charges related to the sexual assault of a juvenile, according to a statement from the church.
Kentucky State Police troopers with Post 16 in Henderson arrested David A. Rodgers, 40, of Utica at 7:35 p.m. Monday following an investigation that revealed he had “engaged in a sexual relationship with a juvenile through a position of special trust.”
The church issued a statement on Tuesday concerning the arrest.
“On the evening of February 16, 2026, church leadership was made aware of sexual assault allegations against David Rodgers, who was serving as Worship Pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. We are deeply saddened and troubled by these allegations. The church takes all allegations of sexual assault extremely seriously, and we ask that you join us in prayerfully awaiting information regarding this ongoing legal matter.”
The statement also said, “Effective immediately the staff member has been terminated and prohibited from participating in church-sponsored functions.”
A citation obtained Tuesday morning by The Owensboro Times says that KSP “received a complaint about a sexual relationship between (Rodgers) and a juvenile at the time of the offense” and that Rodgers “came into contact with the juvenile through a position of special trust.”
The citation says during the investigation, Rodgers “was taken into custody, was mirandized and agreed to be interviewed. In the interview, (Rodgers) confessed to the listed offenses.”
Rodgers was charged with third-degree rape, second-degree sodomy involving a position of authority, first-degree sexual abuse, procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under the age of 12, according to KSP.
He is being held on $75,000 full cash bond with an arraignment scheduled for Wednesday morning.
KSP Public Information Officer Corey King told the Owensboro digital newspaper that KSP initially received the complaint around the start of January 2026, but the incidents are alleged to have begun about 10 to 11 years ago and continued for about four to five years.
The church leadership learned of the charges Monday night.
“We understand that for sexual assault survivors, this may initiate feelings of pain and past trauma,” the church said in a statement. “Please know we are praying for you and your continued healing.
“Pleasant Grove has always taken the physical, spiritual, and emotional safety of those on our campus, especially our children, with the utmost concern and that continues to remain of primary importance.”
Rodgers, who was ordained into the gospel ministry in 2008, was removed from the staff page on Pleasant Grove’s website early Tuesday morning.
He was lodged in the Daviess County Detention Center. The investigation remains ongoing.