MOUNT VERNON — The rape and sexual abuse trial of the former Faith Life Church chief media officer could begin in less than two months, according to Knox County Common Pleas Court records.
Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel has set a July 1 trial date for Gary Thomas Keesee Jr.
A Knox County grand jury indicted Keesee on 27 counts of sexual abuse on April 21. Charges include 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. The 36-year-old Keesee resigned from his position in August 2024.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges during an April 23 arraignment before Wetzel.
Keesee held on $2 million bond
Licking County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Keesee on April 18 and he remains in the Licking County Justice Center in lieu of posting a $2 million cash bond ordered by the judge.
Keesee’s attorney, Samuel Shamansky, declined to comment on why Keesee has not posted bond.
Wetzel set the bond during the arraignment in front of a packed courtroom that included his parents, Gary Sr. and Drenda Keesee, co-pastors of the New Albany-based church.
Drenda Keesee is a also Knox County commissioner.
Wetzel suspended Gary Thomas Keesee Jr.’s driver’s license and ordered him to surrender his license and passport before being released on bond. He also ordered Keesee to pay a $5,000 cash deposit to cover the cost of a GPS monitor before release.
According to Knox County Sheriff Daniel Weckesser, Knox County is paying $100 a day to house Keesee in the Licking County jail.
Weckesser said Keesee is being held in Licking County because Licking County detectives investigated the case.
If Keesee is released on bond, he must report weekly to the Knox County Probation Department and have no contact with the victims.
Special Prosecutor Jenny Wells subpoenaed the record keeper at Faith Life Church on April 25 to request a copy of Keesee’s personnel/employee file.
