OWENSBORO (KY)
Kentucky Today [Louisville KY]
February 20, 2026
By Mark Maynard
The former worship pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church who was arrested Monday on multiple sexual abuse charges took his own life Thursday morning, according to the Kentucky State Police.
In a news release, KSP said “The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and Daviess County Coroner’s Office responded to the apparent suicide of Mr. David Rodgers around 9:45am yesterday morning near his Utica residence.”
David Rodgers, 40, had been 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.
He was arrested and later released on $75,000 full cash bond.
The KSP initially received the complaint in early January 2026, but the incidents are alleged to have begun 10 to 11 years ago and continued for four to five years.
A citation obtained Tuesday morning by 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 and was mirandized and agreed to interview. In the interview, [Rodgers] confessed to the listed offenses.”
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.”
Pleasant Grove immediately terminated Rodgers and removed him from the staff page on the church’s website.