NEWARK — Licking County officials offered details Monday about a months-long investigation into sexual abuse allegations involving a former employee of Faith Life Church.
The probe — detectives said Monday it is ongoing and active — led to a 27-count indictment against Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr.
Keesee, a former chief media officer of New Albany-based Faith Life Church, has been jailed in Licking County since Friday. Officials said he is on suicide watch.
Licking County will continue to lead its investigation and may file additional charges as more information develops, officials said while speaking to media members in the basement of the Licking County Justice Center.
Keesee will be tried in Knox County, however. Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel will preside over Wednesday’s arraignment.
Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said the case has drawn significant attention, and that notoriety has meant the victims have had to wait. Law enforcement initially heard about sexual abuse allegations in December.
“But … our focus is on the victims. That’s what matters to us,” he said.
“We received the case in February. There were a couple of agencies that looked at doing the investigation. They opted not to, for their reasons. When we were asked, we felt obligated. The church is in our county, and we felt justice wasn’t being served to these victims,” the sheriff said.
Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells commended the victims who have already come forward — and asked for additional victims and anyone with information to contact authorities.
“These courageous young women have spoken out and come forward and they are to be commended for their bravery and supported,” Wells said.
“We simply would ask … that anybody who has information or anybody who has been a victim that they can still come forward and share that information.”
The investigation
Authorities said their investigation into Keesee’s sexual abuse allegations spanned multiple states and up to 40 witnesses.
The indictment, filed Monday, stems from a probe that began in Knox County in December, when a Columbus detective contacted a deputy there to report sexual allegations involving a juvenile.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office cited a conflict of interest in why it was unable to investigate the incident. Keesee is the son of Knox County Commissioner Drenda Keesee. The Knox County Board of Commissioners oversees the sheriff’s office budget.
KCSO kicked the investigation over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. However, Attorney General Dave Yost — a 2026 Republican gubernatorial candidate — recused the agency from investigating because of his link to the Keesees.
It wasn’t until Feb. 7 that the Licking County Sheriff’s Office launched its probe. Thorp said Monday he felt that “justice wasn’t being served” to the victims.
LCSO detective Gus Moore said witnesses included current and former members of Faith Life Church, a megachurch with three sites in as many central Ohio counties.
Officials said the LCSO’s investigation focused on sexual crimes allegedly committed dating back to 2011. Keesee’s alleged victims had all grown up together as members Faith Life Church, Wells said.
But, “There is no evidence that we’ve received up to this point of anything occurring in the church or at the church,” Wells said.
Another suspect & finances
Detective Moore said Monday another suspect is being investigated for allegations in Fairfield County.
He did not say what type of allegations were being investigated, but the church in late February issued a statement that confirmed two suspects were being investigated for “allegations of abuse.”
Wells said the acts from that suspect occurred in Fairfield County. Detectives with that agency were not immediately available to comment on Monday.
Moore said detectives from the Licking County Sheriff’s Office also looked into information given to them regarding the church’s finances. However, that information did not and will not become part of its investigation.
“I know there was some information given to us and it’s been passed on to (the attorney general’s office),” Moore said.
The Ohio Attorney General’s charitable law section investigated Faith Life Church’s finances from 2020-2022 following a complaint from a former employee.
No charges were filed, but the agency pointed to several “matters of concern” and left the door open to further investigation should more information come to light.
“Whether they reopen their investigation, I don’t know,” Moore said, referring to the attorney general’s office.
Arrested on Good Friday
Keesee’s arrest fell on Good Friday, a Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It precedes Easter on Sunday, one of Christianity’s most significant holidays.
When asked why Keesee was arrested that day, Wells said: “That was an investigative decision that we made.”
Keesee’s arraignment and bond hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Knox County Common Pleas Court.