Gwinnett County

Ex-youth pastor accused of sex crimes involving 14-year-old girl

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A youth pastor is in jail without bond for allegedly having sex with a teenage girl he was counseling.

Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes learned the girl told her parents, and the pastor allegedly admitted to the inappropriate relationship.

In his first court appearance Wednesday, Nicholas Kelley didn't say much but he did tell the judge he needs a court appointed attorney.

Police arrested him Tuesday, for having sex with a 14-year-old girl he was counseling at New Bridge Church in Lawrenceville.

He counseled that teen for about a year then, over the summer, the relationship turned sexual, police said.

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Police said Kelley admitted to having sexual contact with the teen at the church and in nearby parks.

Another New Bridge pastor said he found out about it Tuesday.

“We called him in immediately to address the issues,” said Pastor Jeff Lyle.

Police said, this all came to light when the teenage girl sneaked out of her parents’ home Monday, the day after Christmas.

She was so worried about her parents finding out, she had a nervous breakdown, and was taken to the hospital. That's where her parents found out.

The next day Kelley allegedly admitted to everything.

“He confessed enough and then he confessed to the cops,” Lyle said.

Kelley was arrested and charged with child molestation, statutory rape and aggravated sexual battery.

“We leave the justice to the justice system, he is out of our hands,” Lyle said.

Lyle thinks this was an isolated incident.

“There's no reason to believe it went beyond the one individual teenage girl and the student pastor,” Lyle said.