MOUNT VERNON — A former Faith Life Church official currently jailed in Licking County has been charged with additional sex crimes against minors.
Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr., 36, faces five additional rape and sexually related charges, according to a superseding indictment filed with Knox County Common Pleas on Monday.
Keesee was previously indicted on 27 sexual-abuse counts, including 11 counts of first-degree rape.
He now faces 32 sexual-abuse counts, including 13 first-degree felonies, 14 third-degree felonies and five fourth-degree allegations.
The five additional charges include two rape and three gross sexual imposition counts.
Authorities allege the latest incidents occurred between June 30, 2008, and June 29, 2012, involving a minor “less than 13 years of age,” making them the most recent of any allegations against the former church chief media officer.
Keesee would have been 19 in June 2008 and 23 in 2012.
The suspect is the son of Gary and Drenda Keesee, co-pastors of the church based in New Albany. Drenda Keesee is also a Knox County commissioner.
Keesee resigned his church post in August 2024.
Authorities said previously that the crimes alleged did not happen in the church.
Columbus defense attorney Samuel Shamansky is representing Keesee. He entered not guilty pleas to all charges on behalf of his client.
Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard 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.
A jury trial is set to begin July 1.
This is a developing story and will be updated.