Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. pleaded not guilty to 27 criminal charges, including 11 counts of rape, in a Knox County courtroom on Wednesday.
Keesee, 36, appeared in court after being held at the Licking County Jail since his arrest on Friday. Knox County Court of Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel set Keesee's bond at $2 million, less than half of the amount Licking County prosecutors overseeing the case requested.
Keesee faces 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition and five counts of sexual conduct with a minor. According to the indictment, the alleged crimes happened between May 2002 and October 2011 and involved three victims, who were all girls between the ages of 6 and 15 at the time.
Licking County Assistant Prosecutor Clifford Murphy argued Keesee should be considered a flight risk. He said Keesee has access to properties in the U.S. and Canada and access to a private plane.
Keesee's defense attorney Sam Shamansky argued against this, refuting Murphy's arguments.
"With respect to risk of flight judge, I'd like you to consider the following. These are facts. These aren't flights of fancy," Shamansky said. "My client does not have access to a private plane. He doesn't own a plane. Doesn't have a pilot's license. He doesn't intend to flee."
Being a flight risk generally refers to a defendant who is likely to flee the state or country to avoid criminal prosecution. Not necessarily by plane.
Shamansky said Keesee has known about the investigation for months and hasn't fled.
"It's been no secret that these accusations have been swirling on social media and around his parent's church community," Shamansky said.
Keesee is the son of the co-pastors of Faith Life Church. His mother, Drenda Keesee, is a Knox County commissioner.
Keesee held different roles at the church over the time the abuse allegedly took place. Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells said some of the abuse happened while he was also a minor.
Judge Wetzel ordered Keesee to surrender his passport and driver's license. Keesee will also wear an ankle monitor if he is released.
Wells previously told WOSU the investigation is ongoing when asked if any other adults would face charges in relation to the abuse.
Licking County prosecutors took over the case from Knox County after Attorney General Dave Yost decided not to pursue it. Yost said he had conflict of interest because of his friendship with Gary and Drenda Keesee, who are the founders of Faith Life Church.
