Jackson, Tennessee’s ABC affiliate reports:
40-year-old Ryan Kelley McElrath is charged with statutory rape by an authority figure, sexual battery by an authority figure, and aggravated statutory rape. The charges stem from a May 2024 incident that occurred at Fellowship Bible Church in Jackson.
McElrath was working as a youth pastor at the church at the time. Records show that Monday morning, McElrath entered a plea agreement at the U.S. District Court for the Western Division of Tennessee in Jackson, which the court accepted
Sentencing has been set for Friday, May 9. At this time, McElrath remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals. Details within the agreement show that McElrath could face anywhere between 10 years to life in prison, along with a maximum fine of $250,000.
Read the full article.
Former youth pastor pleads guilty to sex crimes involving minorhttps://t.co/psUj32Zgbd
— WBBJ7News (@WBBJ7News) February 3, 2025
Ryan McElrath, 40, former Fellowship Bible Church youth pastor in Jackson, pled guilty to statutory rape by an authority figure, sexual battery by an authority figure & aggravated statutory rape. He faces a minimum 10 yrs & maximum life. Sentencing is 5/9.… pic.twitter.com/feYgV84zMH
— 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐬 (@antifaoperative) February 3, 2025