SC Baptist Youth Pastor Charged With Child Molestation

The Lexington County Chronicle reports:

A former West Columbia youth pastor is accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy for more than two years. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department announced Oct. 21 the arrest of Michael Paul Keech, 41, “charged with three second-degree counts and one third-degree count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 16.”

John Yorio, pastor of Saluda River Baptist Church, confirmed that Keech was employed as a youth pastor there until he was fired in March 2021. Yorio said he could not comment further on what caused Keech to be fired. Keech is being held at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Bond was denied on all four of the charges.

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Saluda River Baptist Church’s pastor said he was fired in March 2021. https://t.co/tBjXeH1Gas

— Lexington County Chronicle (@LexChron) October 24, 2022

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