Youth minister suspected of sexual contact with teenager
Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/63093/
A former Winslow youth minister is behind bars for allegedly fondling a 14-year-old girl multiple times in public parking lots.
Keith Daniel Kiger, 31, of ®94 U. S. 71 South in Winslow, faces a felony charge of first-degree sexual assault.
According to a preliminary arrest report, Kiger admitted to engaging in sexual contact with the victim as many as six times. Most of the contact occurred in the back of his van during the day in public parking lots across Fayetteville, the report stated.
Kiger told police that his relationship with the girl began as part of his ministry. He admitted counseling the victim about problems she had been having in her personal life for several months before the sexual contact occurred.
“ He was a youth minister at the First Baptist Church in Winslow when he met the victim, ” said Detective David Williams with the Fayetteville Police Department. “ He hasn’t been there since August. He’s now at a church in the Brentwood area. ”
Williams said he didn’t yet know why Kiger left the First Baptist Church, nor did he know the name of his new church.
“ Hopefully that information will surface as the investigation continues, ” he said. “ I’ve been told that he doesn’t have any youth ministerial duties in his new church. ”
Calls made to the First Baptist Church were not immediately returned Wednesday.
Kiger was also employed in the Wal-Mart automotive division at the time of his arrest, Williams said.
Sgt. Shannon Gabbard said investigators learned of the allegations against Kiger on Saturday after being notified by one of the victim’s relatives.
“ She was supposed to be at the mall with her friends but instead arrived home with (Kiger ), ” Gabbard said. “ The caller grew upset with the situation and provided police with the suspect’s vehicle description. ”
During an interview with police, Kiger said the victim had called and asked for a ride home.
The relative further provided police with documentation of multiple contacts between Kiger and the victim via text messaging, MySpace, Facebook and e-mail.
According to the arrest repor t, K iger admitted knowing that the victim was younger than 18 and that he was in a position of authority when the sexual contact occurred.
He was arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was being held Wednesday evening. A bond amount had not been set. He is expected to make his first appearance in Washington County Circuit Court on Friday.
This investigation is ongoing. Those with any additional information can contact Fayetteville police at 587-3555.