Investigation continues after local minister is arrested on sex crime charge

JACKSON, Tenn. — Andrew Ervin is behind bars after being indicted by a Madison County Grand Jury on an alleged sex crime charge.

According to leaders with Northside Church in Jackson, Ervin was recently disqualified from serving in leadership. We received several reports from of WBBJ News tipsters following Northside’s decision to disqualify Ervin from serving in leadership.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Jackson church minister arrested for statutory rape by an authority figure

According to the Madison County court staff, Ervin was indicted by a grand jury in Madison County Court on a charge of statutory rape by an authority figure. Court staff confirmed the charge does involve a minor, and stated that a grand jury indicted Ervin on the charge Monday.

Public Information Officer Jeff Wall with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department does confirm that Ervin was arrested on the charge on November 3. Records indicate that the 44-year-old remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.

According Ervin’s LinkedIn profile he’s been involved with at least three other churches as a next generation pastor and a youth pastor in the past,  allegedly in relation to Knoxville and Gallatin locations.

According to a statement from Northside Church, several members brought it to the church’s attention of Ervin’s alleged suspicious behavior. The church also acknowledges Ervin was terminated, is cooperating with law enforcement, and state that they are providing assistance to those who were affected.

Church leaders say Ervin received an ordination service a little over a week ago during the Sunday school hour at Northside Church to celebrate his leadership as Northside’s pastor of families and youth.

Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Northside Church staff have declined further comments at this time. This is an ongoing investigation and more details will be provided as they become available.

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