Court date set for Jackson youth pastor accused of rape
UPDATE (2/3/25): Former youth pastor pleads guilty to sex crimes involving minor
UPDATE (6/26/24): McElrath’s case has been reset to July 24 at 1:30 p.m. in Jackson City Court.
UPDATE (6/14/24): A warrant has revealed additional details in the arrest of youth pastor Ryan McElrath. According to the warrant, on the morning of June 11, a man visited the Jackson Police Department to report a sexual assault against his daughter. The warrant states on May 31, 2024, McElrath engaged in sexual contact with a 17-year-old female victim at Fellowship Bible Church, located at 141 Pleasant Plains Road in Jackson. According to the warrant, McElrath met the victim in the high school area of the church for approximately 30 minutes. McElrath is expected to appear in Jackson City Court on June 26th at 9:30 a.m.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Jackson youth pastor arrested on rape charges
JACKSON, Tenn. — A now former youth pastor at a church here in Jackson is accused of various sex charges involving a minor. Here are the latest details.
According to booking information from the Madison County Jail, a youth pastor at the Fellowship Bible Church located in north Jackson, was arrested and booked on a multitude of alleged sex crimes involving a juvenile.
The man identified as 39-year-old Ryan McElrath was arrested at a residence on Willow Green Drive Tuesday afternoon.
McElrath, who is accused of sexual battery by an authority figure, statutory rape, and statutory rape by an authority figure- forcible rape, was booked into the Madison County Jail around 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.
McElrath’s position at the church is described as a high school pastor.
Investigators with the Jackson Police Department say on Tuesday, June 11, they were made aware of possible inappropriate activity involving McElrath and a juvenile.
They began an investigation, which led to them speaking with the alleged juvenile and others in order to gather information.
This information was then given to the 26th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.
McElrath was then charged and a warrant placed for his arrest.
We also reached out to the Fellowship Bible Church for comment, who provided us with a statement. In that statement, they tell us they approached McElrath after the allegations had been made and say he admitted guilt.
Church leaders say upon this admittance, he was immediately fired from his position at the church.
Both the church and the Jackson Police Department say the church has fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
A statement from Fellowship Bible Church says, “They are engaging an agency to audit church policies and procedures as well as provide guidance on continued care for the victim.”
Lead Pastor Eugene Brandt said “As a church community we are absolutely devastated by this. And, as a parent, I share in our God’s outrage and grief when the innocent are harmed.”
According to a release from Jackson Police, McElrath was arraigned in Jackson City Court on the charges and was released on $70,000 bond.
His next court date is set for June 26th at 9:30 a.m.
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