Image sources: Google Street View of Summit Church in Elkins, WV, © Google, via Google Maps. Kevin Curtis Jones, courtesy of West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Kevin Curtis Jones, 33, senior pastor of Summit Church in Elkins, West Virginia, has been charged with one felony count of soliciting a minor via computer.
He was arrested on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, and booked into custody just after midnight on October 2. According to The Inter-Mountain, “He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond.”
Allegations from the Criminal Complaint
On October 1, investigators with the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force carried out a solicitation investigation involving Jones.
The alleged victim was a member of Summit Church in Elkins. The victim is no longer a minor.
Investigators executed a search warrant at an RV in the Smokey Bottom Campground where Jones was found, seizing numerous cellular and storage devices.
Deputy and Task Force Officer D.A. Cale, “made contact with the alleged victim, who came out of the RV to speak with him. The alleged victim stated that Jones was their pastor and that they recalled an event where they and other juveniles went to Jones’ house in Randolph County around Christmas of 2023, the complaint states. The alleged victim told Cale that Jones began communicating with them over the phone about being in a ‘clandestine relationship’ with the alleged victim once they turned 18.” (The Inter-Mountain)
The complaint emphasizes that Jones was the victim’s pastor at Summit Church, placing him in a position of trust over them.
When asked if they believed Jones had solicited them according to West Virginia State Code, the victim replied, “Yes.”
According to the criminal complaint, “It is evident that Pastor Kevin Jones used a communication device to contact the victim to solicit, entice, seduce or lure (them) into a clandestine relationship while he remained married and was a person of trust.” (The Inter-Mountain)
Jones’ Role at Summit Church
According to his LinkedIn profile, Jones began at Summit Church in January 2018 as a worship pastor. In December 2021, he was promoted to the role of senior pastor.
By the time of his arrest, he had been entrusted with the spiritual direction of the entire congregation for nearly four years.
A Pastor Elevated and Adored
Jones was not only the lead pastor but also the most visible and celebrated voice of Summit Church. He is featured in dozens of videos on the church’s YouTube channel, where he presents himself as a source of spiritual guidance.
The congregation openly celebrated Jones. In one birthday post, Summit Church wrote: “Join us in celebrating our Lead Pastor, Kevin Jones, as we wish him a happy and blessed birthday…We are so grateful for your leadership and your heart and boldness to share the truth of God’s word with us!” The post drew numerous comments of appreciation, reflecting how Jones was admired within the congregation.
That carefully cultivated image now stands in stark contrast to the allegations he faces. A man once elevated as a spiritual guide is accused of exploiting his position to solicit a child from within the congregation that trusted him most.
Accountability in Question
As of the time of this writing, Summit Church has made no public comment on Jones’ arrest or the allegations in the criminal complaint. Their silence raises troubling questions about whether church leaders had any safeguards in place for their members, what they may have known about Jones’ alleged crime, and how they intend to protect members moving forward.
On its website, Summit Church describes itself as a welcoming, family-centered community with “a culture of honor.” However, the allegations against Jones undermine that image, leaving families to reconcile the church’s stated values with the disturbing charges now facing its lead pastor.
Civil Accountability
Summit Church may be civilly liable for abuse if leadership ignored warning signs, allowed Jones unsupervised access to minors, or failed to enforce safeguards to those in their congregation.
Churches have a duty to protect all of their members. When they fail, they can and should be held accountable.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse have the right to pursue civil claims against institutions that enabled or failed to prevent abuse.
Criminal courts focus on punishing offenders, but the civil justice system serves a different purpose: to provide survivors with a path toward healing and compensation for the harm they endured.
Civil lawsuits also shine a light on institutional negligence, exposing where leaders ignored warning signs or failed to put basic safeguards in place. By holding institutions like churches accountable, survivors can reclaim their voice, pursue justice, and help protect others from future harm.
Our Commitment to Survivors
Clergy abuse is tragically far more common than many may realize. Across the country, countless survivors have come forward to share stories of abuse by pastors and priests who used their positions of authority to exploit the very people who trusted them most.
Clergy sexual abuse represents a profound breach of trust, as the harm is inflicted by someone looked to for guidance, safety, and care.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of sexual abuse nationwide, including those harmed by church leaders and others in positions of trust.
Our team takes a trauma-informed approach to every case, ensuring survivors are heard, supported, and empowered throughout the process.
Every consultation is free and completely confidential.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Pastor Kevin Curtis Jones or another trusted church leader, please contact us today. Whether you’re ready to explore your legal options or simply need a safe space to be heard, we’re here for you.
