MOUNT VERNON — Gary “Tom” Keesee Jr. was found guilty on 27 counts of sexual abuse Friday morning by Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel.
Those 27 counts include 11 counts of first-degree rape, 11 counts of sexual imposition and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Wetzel ordered a pre-sentence investigation and said sentencing would take place on a future date. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 8, 2027, according to Special Prosecutor Jenny Wells, who spoke with members of the media outside the courthouse Friday.
Wells asked the judge to revoke Keesee’s bond, but Wetzel opted to uphold the bond conditions “as-is.” Wells said she respects Wetzel’s decision regarding bond.
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, Keesee’s mother, are co-pastors of Faith Life Church in New Albany.
Drenda Keesee is also a Knox County commissioner. Tom Keesee was a former official at the church. However, none of the alleged incidents occurred at the church, according to previous Knox Pages reporting. Both parents were in attendance Friday.
Verdict is ‘vindication’ for Keesee’s victims, says special prosecutor
“I think it’s a just verdict after everything our victims have gone through almost the last two years. I would call it persecution. This is vindication for them,” Wells said. “This is true closure hopefully for them so they can move on and not have this over their heads.”
The victims and their testimonies were a decisive factor in this case, Wells told media.
“They did this. We told their story but they’re the ones that had to get up there and go through what they had to go through to get this justice,” she said.
This case has represented the vast majority of Wells’ and assistant prosecutor Darcy Cook’s case load over the past (nearly) two years, the special prosecutor said.
She said the victims have gone through a lot and prosecutors have, “suffered with them so to speak.”
One media member asked Wells if she thought there may be more victims who haven’t yet come forward in regards to the case. The special prosecutor declined to comment on the question.
Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky declined to comment following Friday morning’s verdict, citing the case’s continuance for purposes of sentencing.
Shamansky said the defense would comment following Keesee’s sentencing early next year.
Wetzel details victims’ testimonies prior to verdict
Extra seats had to be brought into the courtroom in the moments leading up to the start of the proceedings as a full gallery of individuals and a juror’s box filled with media sat nearly in silence.
Wetzel asked both Wells and Shamansky if either had any additional statements to make prior to his verdict. Shamansky declined. Wells said victims present at Friday’s proceedings would wish to speak only if Keesee was sentenced immediately following the verdict.
The judge summarized, in detail, testimony shared by the case’s victims over the course of Keesee’s bench trial. Keesee in September waived his right to a jury trial and requested a bench trial.
As Wetzel delivered his verdict for each count, Keesee frequently shook his head, but largely displayed no other emotions throughout the duration of Friday’s proceedings.
This is vindication for them (victims).
Special Prosecutor Jenny Wells
A Knox County grand jury initially indicted Keesee on 27 counts in April 2025. In May 2025, a grand jury added five additional counts relating to a fourth victim coming forward.
Victim 4 testified last week about alleged incidents that occurred at the Keesee family home. On Monday, Wetzel dismissed those charges because she was unable to return to the stand for cross-examination. The next day the judge also struck portions of Carrie Schnirring’s expert witness testimony relating to Victim 4.
As previously reported by Knox Pages, Wells said Victim 2 testified to more than 30 incidents of sexual engagement when she was 6 to 7 years old. Victim 1 testified to more than 25 incidents of Keesee touching her and engaging in sexual conduct in multiple locations, including Keesee’s home and the victim’s homes, between the ages of 6 and 7.
Victim 3 testified to one incident at the age of 10 or 11.
Wells previously stated the evidence does not show evidence of a conspiracy as the defense had suggested during trial.
Knox Pages is not using names or specific details to protect the victims’ identities.
Community members react to verdict
Former Faith Life Church members Jim and Lara Hicks, husband and wife, and Knox County resident Rebecca Nourse spoke with media about their reaction to the verdict.
“We’re obviously so excited that he got guilty on all counts,” said Lara Hicks, who added she was disappointed Keesee wasn’t taken into custody Friday.
“They did let him walk and that doesn’t make any sense to us. But we are ecstatic he is guilty on all counts, all 27 counts,” she said.
Jim Hicks said he felt happiness and relief for the victims as he sat inside the courtroom when the verdict was delivered. His wife followed by saying Wetzel’s discussion of the victims’ testimonies was a validating moment for those who came forward.
Nourse said she anticipates the defense will appeal the verdict. But she thinks Wetzel’s comments would make a successful appeal challenging.
Each member of the trio reaffirmed their respective calls for Drenda Keesee to step down from her position as a commissioner.
“They (Drenda and Gary Sr.) put him (Keesee) in a predatory position and they need to be held accountable as well,” Lara Hicks said.
She called for Knox County leaders to intervene and hold Drenda Keesee accountable.
“The fact they (Gary Sr. and Drenda Keesee) gave (Gary) Tom (Keesee Jr.) a front-row seat to be a predator in that church, I think members of that church feel betrayed and they’re willing to stand up and make their voices heard. That’s why there’s such a huge showing today,” Lara Hicks said.
