Update: The former local worship pastor arrested earlier this week on multiple felony sex abuse charges has been officially identified as the man who died in a shooting incident Thursday morning near Utica.
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Pleasant Grove Baptist Church has terminated a worship pastor after he was arrested Monday night on multiple charges related to the sexual assault of a juvenile, according to a statement released by church leadership. New documents obtained by Owensboro Times also show that he admitted to the offenses during a police interview.
According to Kentucky State Police, troopers with Post 16 in Henderson arrested 40-year-old David A. Rodgers, of Utica, at approximately 7:35 p.m. Monday after an investigation determined he had “engaged in a sexual relationship with a juvenile through a position of special trust.”
Public Information Officer Corey King said KSP initially received the complaint around the start of January 2026, but the incidents are alleged to have begun about 10-11 years ago and continued for about 4-5 years.
A citation obtained Tuesday morning by Owensboro Times says that KSP “received a complaint about a sexual relationship between [Rodgers] and a juvenile at the time of the offense” and that Rodgers “came into contact with the juvenile through a position of special trust.”
The citation says that during the course of the investigation, Rodgers “was taken into custody and was mirandized and agreed to interview. In the interview, [Rodgers] confessed to the listed offenses.”
According to KSP, Rodgers was charged with third-degree rape, second-degree sodomy involving a position of authority, first-degree sexual abuse, procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under the age of 12.
Court documents show that Rodgers is being held on a $75,000 full cash bond, with an arraignment scheduled for March 18. (Editor’s note: OT originally reported that the arraignment was scheduled for February 18. We apologize for the error.)
In the statement to Owensboro Times on Tuesday morning, church leaders said they were informed on Monday evening of allegations against Rodgers, who had been serving as worship pastor at Pleasant Grove.
“We are deeply saddened and troubled by these allegations,” the statement reads. “The church takes all allegations of sexual assault extremely serious and we ask that you join us in prayerfully waiting information regarding this ongoing legal matter.”
It’s unclear if the church was aware of Rodgers’ confession prior to the release of their statement.
According to the church’s statement, Rodgers has been terminated and is prohibited “from participating in church-sponsored functions.”
Church leadership also acknowledged the impact such allegations can have on survivors of sexual assault, noting that the situation may resurface pain or past trauma.
“We understand that for sexual assault survivors, this may initiate feelings of pain and past trauma,” the statement reads. “Please know we are praying for you and your continued healing.”
It continues, “Pleasant Grove has always taken the physical, spiritual, and emotional safety of those on our campus, especially our children, with the utmost concern, and that continues to remain of primary importance.”
Rodgers was removed from the staff page on Pleasant Grove’s website sometime early Tuesday morning.
The investigation into the allegations is ongoing and is being handled by KSP.
