Keesee Convicted on 27 Counts

Faith Life leaders face renewed calls to step down.

Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel found Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. guilty Nov. 6 on all 27 remaining felony counts. They include 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Faith Life Church Pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee / Insert of Tom Keesee

MinistryWatch has followed the case since Keesee’s 2025 indictment and a later civil suit that also named Faith Life Church in Ohio and its pastors, Gary and Drenda Keesee, as defendants.

MinistryWatch reported last month that trial testimony raised new questions about what Gary and Drenda Keesee knew before the criminal investigation became public. Court records obtained by MinistryWatch also showed the defense sought Faith Life Church records, witness communications, and law-enforcement phone records before trial.

In a 29-page Findings of Fact, Decision and Verdict After Bench Trial, Wetzel concluded that prosecutors proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge repeatedly found the three accusers who completed their testimony credible and cited Keesee’s admissions to two witnesses among the evidence supporting the convictions.

The ruling also documents testimony that bears on earlier questions about what Faith Life Church leaders and the Keesee family knew.

One of those witnesses testified that Keesee admitted sexually assaulting one of the victims and agreed to tell his wife, sister, parents and the victim’s parents. Keesee’s siblings also testified that their mother instructed them never to let him be alone with his younger sister behind closed doors. His brother, Tim Keesee, testified that he told their parents Tom should have no contact with minors in church youth activities.

After the verdict, Gary and Drenda Keesee addressed their Faith Life Church congregation. Gary said they were “praying for healing and peace for every person involved” but could not discuss the case further because “there’s still a legal process ahead.”

He indicated they would remain in church leadership. “Once you hear direction from God, you stay there until God says move,” Gary said. “God has not told us to move … or do anything else.”

The verdict also increased pressure on Drenda Keesee in her public role as a Knox County commissioner. Hours after the verdict, the Knox County Republican Party called on her to resign, the Newark Advocate reported. The party cited trial testimony about what she knew of her son’s conduct and said she had missed 21 commission meetings in 2026.

Wetzel left Tom Keesee’s bond in place and ordered a presentence investigation. A separate Nov. 6 journal entry scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Jan. 8, 2027.

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