A second arraignment for Gary "Tom" Thomas Keesee Jr., 36, of Johnstown, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, following a superseding indictment that added charges in the rape case against him.
According to online records from the Knox County Court Clerk's office, a superseding indictment was issued against Keesee on May 19. The court clerk records indicate that Keesee has been indicted on 13 counts of first-degree felony rape, 14 counts of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition, and five counts of fourth-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. A new warrant was issued for Keesee on these charges, leading to his arrest again on May 21. Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells provided supplemental discovery to Keesee's attorney following the superseding indictment.
The Mount Vernon News reports that Keesee was initially indicted on April 21 by a Knox County grand jury. Under the initial indictment, the case involved three alleged victims aged between six and fifteen years old at the time of the alleged abuse. The incidents are said to have occurred between 2002 and 2011 when Keesee was between thirteen and twenty-one years old. Some charges against him carry a mandatory ten-year sentence if convicted.
According to the report from Mount Vernon News, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp's office took over the investigation on February 7 after both the Knox County Sheriff's Office and the Ohio Attorney General's Office recused themselves due to conflicts of interest with the Keesee family. The investigation spanned multiple states and included interviews with approximately forty witnesses.
Keesee is the son of New Albany-based Faith Life Church pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee. Drenda is also a Knox County Commissioner. The pastors host shows on the Daystar Television Network and have authored numerous books. Tom Keesee previously served as chief media officer at Faith Life Church. He grew up in the church alongside the alleged victims. Wells said there was no evidence at present indicating any incidents occurred within or at Faith Life Church premises. The church has denied any connection to these alleged incidents, which reportedly took place outside church grounds.
Court clerk records show that a criminal jury trial is scheduled in Common Pleas Court Judge Richard D. Wetzel's courtroom on July 1.
