MOUNT VERNON — Bond was set at $2 million Wednesday for a former Faith Life Church official charged with 27 sexual abuse counts, including 11 rape allegations.
Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel set the cash bond for Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. during an arraignment in front of a packed courtroom, an audience that included his parents, Gary Sr. and Drenda Keesee, co-pastors of the church based in New Albany.
Keesee was indicted Monday by a Knox County grand jury on charges that included 11 counts of first-degree rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
None of the alleged crimes occurred at the church, according to investigators.
Columbus defense attorney Samuel Shamansky entered not guilty pleas to all charges on behalf of his client, who sat shackled next to him in an orange jail jumpsuit.
Wetzel set bond at $2 million with no 10-percent provision. He also ordered a $5,000 cash deposit to cover the cost of a GPS monitor, suspended Keesee’s driver’s license and ordered that he surrender his passport.
Keesee, who resigned as the church’s chief media officer in 2024, has been in the Licking County Jail since Friday. Wetzel ordered he cannot be released until the bond and cash deposit are posted.
He is also subject to weekly pre-trial reporting to the Knox County Probation Department and was ordered not to have contact with the victims.
Prosecutor says Keesee is a flight risk; defense disagrees
Most of the arraignment was spent discussing bond.
Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Clifford Murphy requested it be set at $5 million, a figure Shamansky argued was too high.
Murphy said he based his bond request on the seriousness of the charges, noting 22 of them are considered crimes of violence.
He also said Keesee was a flight risk because he has access to a private plane (owned by his parents), and the Keesee family has property in Canada and throughout the country.
Shamansky denied Keesee was a flight risk. He said his client does not own a plane and does not have a pilot’s license.
He also said Keesee had known about the investigation for three or four months.
“Had Thomas had the intention to flee, he would have,” Shamansky said, adding that Keesee “respects the system and does not present a flight risk.”
“He stands before you with no record,” Shamansky told Wetzel. “He has a business. He is married, gainfully employed, and is a property owner in Licking County.”
Shamansky also said the last alleged incident contained in the indictment occurred in 2011.
“From 2011 to 2025, my client has been working hard and obeying the law,” he said.
Shamansky noted that Keesee’s parents also own property.
“Both of those properties are able to be pledged should the court require that,” Shamansky said. “If the prosecutor had any evidence to present risk of flight, he would have presented it.”
Shamansky acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and said his client takes them seriously.
However, he said, if the prosecution had some super-compulsory evidence, such as DNA, Murphy would have presented it in court Wednesday.
“He did not,” Shamansky said. “This case rests on witness testimony.”
Defense attorney says Keesee will get a fair trial in Knox County
After the arraignment, Shamansky said the $5 million bond request was high and that $2 million is also a substantial sum.
“I believe a recognizance bond is appropriate,” he said.
Shamansky said he is confident Keesee will receive a fair trial in Knox County.
“Judge Wetzel is above the fray,” he said. “He is beholden to the rule of law, and he’s been a super fair judge. If he felt uncomfortable, he would have (recused himself).”
Shamansky said he is also not worried about seating a jury in Knox County.
“My experience is that jurors, once selected, I have no doubt the citizens can look beyond all of the media hoopla and look at the facts of the case,” he said.
“Jurors take a oath; my experience is that jurors take it seriously.”
The defense attorney said it will be interesting to get to discovery.
“I can’t imagine they have forensic evidence,” he said.
The alleged victims were not present in the courtroom. A victim advocate had no comment.
Keesee remains in her role as commissioner
Some Knox County residents have called for Keesee to step down as commissioner. She took office in January after winning election in November.
On Tuesday, Commissioner Bill Pursel read a prepared statement saying she must make her own decision about continuing to serve on the Board of Commissioners.
Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville has previously said there is no statutory provision for recalling county or township elected officials, but there is a recall provision for municipalities.
There is also no statutory provision for a central committee to remove an elected official.
ORC 3.07 does provide for removing an elected official due to gross neglect or misconduct related to official duties, including malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance.
