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A youth pastor at the New Banklick Baptist Church in Walton is facing sexual abuse charges, church officials confirm.
Joseph Niemeyer, 53, is facing three felony counts of Sexual Abuse, Rape and Sodomy. He is accused of sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl over a three-year period, court documents show.
"Mr. Niemeyer actually came to the Independence Police Department and spoke to detectives and basically self-reported," Kenton County Prosecutor Rob Sanders said.
Court documents show the alleged abuse occurred at Niemeyer's home in Independence.
"Mr. Niemeyer volunteered at Twenhofel Middle School for the past three years,” said Jess Dykes who is a spokesperson for the Kenton County School District.
Dykes said Niemeyer helped as a volunteer with a group known as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The group he worked with is a very small group of sixth, seventh and eighth graders who meet once a week before school, according to Dykes.
"He did help. He did help lead prayers and read Bible scriptures,” Dykes told FOX19 NOW. “He was never alone with any of the students that he was volunteering with.”
Youth pastor, school volunteer charged with sex crimes - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports
