Ohio Pastor Faces Domestic Violence Charges for Allegedly Threatening His Wife

An Ohio pastor has been charged with aggravated menacing and domestic violence after allegedly threatening his wife with a loaded gun. The Rev. Charles Ross, pastor of New Prospect Baptist Church in Toledo, has pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court on September 26 for a pre-trial hearing.

Yolonda Ross called police for assistance in the early hours of Sunday, September 4, saying her husband loaded a firearm in their home and threatened to kill her. According to court records, Charles Ross caused “the belief of serious physical harm or imminent death to his live-in wife and mother of his children when he loaded a firearm and stated, ‘Is it going to end?’ while he held the firearm in front of the victim.”

During his initial court appearance on September 6, Pastor Ross was fingerprinted and released on his own recognizance. A judge ordered him to stay away from his wife. The Rosses have three children.

A relative of Yolonda Ross says the pastor should no longer lead his congregation. “I’m the one that went up and [talked] to the deacons,” says the family member, who requested anonymity. “You’re supposed to protect [the woman], not cause harm to her. You’re threatening to harm. That’s a problem.”

Although the relative admits “we all make mistakes,” he adds, “there’s no way it should be where you can do this and then lie to people saying you didn’t do it. It’s unacceptable.”

New Prospect has not responded to requests for comment or addressed whether Ross will remain as its pastor. The church’s social media pages have been disabled. On YouTube, the congregation describes itself as a family-oriented ministry that aims to change lives, heal people, and strengthen families.

This article was originally published by ChurchLeaders.com.

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