MOUNT VERNON — Jury selection is set to begin this week in the rape trial of Gary “Tom” Keesee Jr.
Deputies from the Licking County Sheriff’s Office arrested Keesee April 18, 2025 on two rape charges involving a minor. A Knox County grand jury returned a 27-count indictment on April 20.
The indictment included 11 counts of first-degree rape involving three victims.
Authorities added five additional charges on May 18: two rape and three gross sexual imposition counts. According to Capt. Jay Cook of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, the additional counts stem from a fourth victim coming forward.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Knox Memorial Building, 112 E. High St.
Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel said the venue change is necessary “by virtue of extraordinary circumstances relating to the great public interest in this case before the Court, and considerations for the public access to the proceedings, and the health and safety of the community.”
Proceedings are scheduled to return to the common pleas courtroom at 111 E. High St. after jury selection.
Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells will prosecute the case. Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville recused himself, citing a conflict of interest as he represents the Knox County Board of Commissioners. Keesee’s mother, Drenda Keesee, is a Knox County commissioner.
Wells estimates the trial will take seven to 10 days.
Trial pushed back three times
Wetzel rescheduled Keesee’s original trial date of July 1, 2025, to Nov. 18, 2025, because defense attorney Samuel Shamansky said he needed more time to prepare.
The judge rescheduled the November trial to May 19, 2026, because the defense was awaiting additional records.
However, Wetzel vacated the May trial date and held an evidentiary hearing to determine whether evidence from a grand jury was disclosed before it should have been.
Granville resident Sabrina Warner posted on Facebook on April 20, 2025, that 27 counts would be filed against Keesee. Warner was on vacation in Florida at the time.
Additionally, Warner posted that a Keesee family member was subpoenaed; that information was not public. When Judge Wetzel questioned Warner how she knew that 27 counts would be filed, Warner said she guessed.
Wetzel rescheduled the trial to Sept. 29.
Keesee has been out on bond since November 2025. He remained in the Licking County Justice Center from April 18 through Nov. 6, 2025, on a $2 million bond with no 10-percent provision.
Wetzel reduced Keesee’s bond to $1 million with a 10-percent provision on Nov. 6. Keesee’s father, Gary Keesee Sr., posted bond that afternoon.
Gary Sr. and Drenda Keesee are co-pastors of Faith Life Church in New Albany.
Tom Keesee was a former official at the church. However, none of the alleged incidents occurred at the church.
