More Victims Come Forward After Texas Youth Pastor Arrested On Abuse Charges, Cops Say

A youth pastor in Texas is accused of sexually assaulting a child, according to a report.

Last week, police in Mesquite, Texas, announced the arrest of Conner “Jesse” Penny, 32. He was charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child.

He is being held in jail on a $2.5 million bond.

On April 4, officers learned of the alleged sexual abuse, according to Mesquite police. The victim was a girl under 17-year-old.

The incidents happened between 2015 and 2018, police said.

Since he was arrested this month, other victims have come forward to allege abuse between 2013 to 2021, police said.

At the time of his arrest, Penny was the youth pastor at Inspiration Church in Mesquite, police noted. He previously worked for the school district as a teacher’s aide and after-school counselor.

Anyone who might have been a victim is asked to contact police at (972) 285-6336.