MOUNT VERNON — The prosecution and defense laid the groundwork Wednesday in the sexual abuse case against Gary ‘Tom’ Keesee Jr.
Keesee, a former church leader, is accused of 32 counts of sexual assault, including 13 counts of rape. All four victims were minors with ages ranging from 5 to 15.
The alleged incidents started in 2001 and occurred over the course of 15 years.
Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel is hearing the case because Keesee waived his right to a jury trial midway through jury selection Tuesday.
Keesee is the son of Gary Sr. and Drenda Keesee, pastors of Faith Life Church in New Albany. Drenda Keesee is also a Knox County commissioner.
Licking County Assistant Prosecutor Darcy Cook said Tom Keesee grew up in a church, and through 2024, worked and volunteered in different roles. He resigned his position as chief media officer in 2024.
Cook said Keesee appeared charming, charismatic, and a person of God.
“But he had a secret,” she said.
Cook said the four victims knew a different Tom and suffered shame and torment because of that secret.
The four alleged victims all have ties to Faith Life Church, although none of the incidents occurred at the church.
Cook said the Keesee family and church family were close-knit, with the people involved intertwined.
“But even close-knit communities have secrets,” she said.
Cook said the state will produce testimony that alleges Keesee confessed to sexually assaulting two of the victims.
Defense says allegations are a setup
Defense attorney Karena Reusser said the allegations began after a former church member watched a program on a national news network about sexual abuse.
She said the evidence will show that became the framework for a terminated employment at the church and a campaign against the church and Keesee family.
“Consequences were immediate and devastating,” Reusser said. “A media firestorm erupted, contracts were canceled, two dozen staff members walked out and hundreds walked away from Faith Life Church.”
Reusser said the defense will show it is not a case of four victims of sexual assault but a case against Faith Life Church and that when investigated, details and statements changed.
Witness testimony begins
One alleged victim took the stand on Wednesday, testifying she was assaulted at least 30 times, including at Keesee’s home on Sharp Road in Knox County.
She said the abuse began when she was 5 years old. It started as a game and escalated as time advanced.
The alleged victim said Keesee’s mother knew of at least one incident. However, she said she did not tell anyone about the alleged abuse because she did not want to get Keesee in trouble.
The alleged victim said when she was around 18 or 19, she shared concerns with Keesee’s parents in their capacity as church pastors.
Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky questioned the alleged victim about the timing and topic of conversations with other alleged victims, playing several recorded calls.
He also walked through how and why the alleged victim reached out to law enforcement.
During cross-examination, the alleged victim shared her concern that the Attorney General’s Office did not investigate the case because Keesee’s parents were friends with then-Attorney General Dave Yost.
Knox Pages is not sharing specific details of the testimony to protect the identity of the alleged victim.
The trial resumes Thursday at 9 a.m. with expert testimony. Special Prosecutor Jenny Wells expects the trial to take seven to 10 days.
