Pastor at Western KY church accused of having sexual relationship with a minor

Christopher Leach, Lexington Herald-Leader on Feb 17, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A pastor at a Western Kentucky church has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a minor, Kentucky State Police announced Monday.

David Rodgers, 40, of Utica, was arrested around 7:35 p.m. Feb. 16 after an investigation determined he had a sexual relationship with a juvenile “through a position of special trust.” State police spokesperson Corey King confirmed Rodgers served as a pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at the time of the arrest. The detail was first reported by The Owensboro Times.

Rodgers is no longer listed as a staff member on the church’s website, but a screenshot from the church’s website a few hours after his arrest says was ordained into the gospel ministry since 2008. He was in charge of leading the worship ministry and creative arts.

A message left with the church early Tuesday about Rodgers and his employment status was not immediately returned.

The alleged sexual relationship started about 10 to 11 years ago and lasted four to five years, according to King. The victim, who is associated with Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, was around 12 to 13 years old when the relationship started.

State police learned about the relationship in early January, when someone with knowledge of it came forward, King said. Court documents in the case were not immediately available.

Rodgers is charged with third-degree rape, second-degree sodomy - position of authority, first-degree sexual abuse, procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means and possession of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor younger than 12, according to state police.

He was booked into the Daviess County Detention Center, but he is no longer listed as an active inmate in the jail, according to jail records.