Ohio Pastor Arrested On Felony Child Sex Charges

March 11, 2023 Crime, Religion

The Geauga Maple Leaf reports:

Dennis W. Laferty, a pastor at Thompson United Methodist Church in Thompson Township, is accused of sexual battery against one or more minors. Laferty, 37, who lives in a home Trustees of Thompson Methodist Church own at 6724 Madison Road, is facing multiple felony counts.

Laferty was charged with five counts of third-degree felony sexual battery, and one count of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition involving a person less than 13 years of age.

Laferty, a former staff sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, joined TUMC in July 2018 after serving three years as pastor at The United Methodist Church in Nevada, Ohio. He is married and has three daughters, according to his Facebook page.

Read the full article.

Police say there may be more victims. According to the article, Laferty has a 2012 conviction for “aggravated trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony.”

This morning the church reacted on Facebook:



We have recently been made aware of very concerning allegations regarding Pastor Dennis Laferty. Please be aware that we are taking matters very seriously and allowing the appropriate authorities to take action. At this time, we ask that you pray for our church and community, and that answers may be brought in a just manner. Please know that we at Thompson United Methodist Church do not condone any form of harm to any person and we care for all our members. To ensure the protection of our congregation and community Dennis has been suspended as Pastor.

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