Key Takeaways
- David A. Rodgers, former worship pastor, faces multiple sex charges stemming from allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor.
- He was arrested on February 16, 2026, after an investigation revealed alleged conduct dating back 10-11 years.
- Rodgers is charged with third-degree rape, second-degree sodomy, and other offenses related to the abuse of a minor.
- Pleasant Grove Baptist Church terminated Rodgers upon learning of the allegations.
- Civil action may provide a pathway for survivors to seek accountability from institutions that failed to protect them.
Arrest and Allegations
Former worship pastor David A. Rodgers, 40, of Utica, Kentucky, has been charged with multiple felony sex offenses.
Authorities arrested Rodgers on February 16, 2026, at approximately 7:35 p.m., after interviews and an investigation “revealed he engaged in a sexual relationship with a juvenile through a position of special trust,” according to Kentucky State Police.
The “position of special trust” referenced by law enforcement relates to Rodgers’ role as a worship pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky.
According to Kentucky State Police Public Information Officer Corey King, “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.” (The Owensboro Times)
The alleged victim, who was connected to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, was approximately 12 or 13 years old when the reported conduct began. It is unknown exactly when the alleged victim first met Rodgers.
Per the Kentucky State Police, Rodgers is charged with the following:
- Two counts of third-degree rape
- Two counts of second-degree sodomy – position of authority
- Two counts of first-degree sexual abuse
- Procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means
- Possession of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor younger than 12
Rodgers is alleged to have communicated with the victim through social media.
According to a citation obtained by The Owensboro Times, in an interview with investigators, “‘[Rodgers] confessed to the listed offenses.’”
Rodgers was booked into the Daviess County Detention Center. He was released on Tuesday, February 17, after posting bond. Conditions of his release include no contact with children, remaining at least 500 feet away from the alleged victim, and no use of electronic devices.
The case is filed in Daviess County as Commonwealth v. Rodgers, David Anthony (Case No. 26-F-00155). An arraignment is scheduled for March 18, 2026.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to assess whether additional victims may be involved. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Kentucky State Police.
The Community Presence of David Rodgers
According to a now archived profile on Pleasant Grove Baptist Church’s website, Worship Pastor Rodgers has called Owensboro, Kentucky, home since 1990.
“David joined the Pleasant Grove family and was ordained into the gospel ministry in 2008. He now leads our worship ministry and creative arts.”
Earlier archived versions of the church’s website indicate that Rodgers directed both the worship
and children’s ministries. Subsequent versions of the site appear to reflect a narrowing of his responsibilities, with his role focused primarily on worship and music.
Reporting reflects that Rodgers maintained a visible and active presence in youth-facing settings within the Owensboro community.
Social media photos show Rodgers leading worship at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event held at a local elementary school. He led worship during Vacation Bible School for children at Pleasant Grove.
David Rodgers also founded “Lil’ Sluggers,” a church-based T-ball league for children ages three to six, in 2012. The league reportedly involved hundreds of young participants and over 100 church volunteers.
Rodgers publicly described the initiative as an effort to engage families and connect them with the church. The article describes him as a “a youth and worship minister at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, [who] wanted the church to play a bigger role in the lives of the youth.”
He participated in productions with an Owensboro community theatre company, Encore Musicals, dating back to at least 2023. He starred as Jesus in Godspell, Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, and Will in Big Fish.
The Encore Board recently issued a statement that Rodgers had “never served in an official capacity with their organization.”
Rodgers’ public Facebook profile is no longer available.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church’s Response
Following Rodgers’ arrest, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church issued a statement acknowledging that leadership became aware of the allegations on February 16, 2026, the same day Rodgers was arrested.
According to reporting by the Owensboro Times, Kentucky State Police Public Information Officer Corey King “said he did not contact the church directly prior to the statement’s release and believes the church may have learned of the arrest and specific details through family members or media reports.”
The church described the allegations as deeply troubling and stated that “Effective immediately, the staff member has been terminated and prohibited from participating in church-sponsored functions.”
Rodgers was also removed from the church’s website.
At the time of this writing, publicly accessible social media accounts previously associated with the church, such as Facebook and Instagram, were not available. Videos that had been posted to the church’s YouTube channel had been taken down.
The church described the allegations as deeply troubling and stated that “Effective immediately, the staff member has been terminated and prohibited from participating in church-sponsored functions.”
Rodgers was also removed from the church’s website.
At the time of this writing, publicly accessible social media accounts previously associated with the church, such as Facebook and Instagram, were not available. Videos that had been posted to the church’s YouTube channel had been taken down.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church also operates a daycare, Pleasant Grove Christian Learning Center.
Authority and Access to Children
The reported scope of Rodgers’ involvement across worship services, youth programming, and other family-centered initiatives reflects substantial and sustained access to minors. In cases involving alleged predators with long-term access to minors and sustained leadership roles, public reports can prompt additional individuals to report similar experiences.
Worship pastors and youth leaders are often viewed as trusted mentors and spiritual authorities. That trust often grants them regular and repeated contact with children through church services and youth programs. Families may reasonably assume that individuals serving in visible ministry roles have been properly vetted and meet appropriate safety standards. Children, in turn, may be encouraged to respect or defer to someone presented as a spiritual authority.
Law enforcement has alleged that the conduct in this case occurred through a “position of special trust.” That phrase reflects more than physical proximity; it reflects authority and influence.
Experts recognize that grooming is a gradual process. It can involve building familiarity with a child and their family, creating opportunities for private interaction, testing boundaries, and incrementally escalating inappropriate conduct.
Why Apologies Are Not Enough
Public expressions of sadness and prayer, like the one expressed by PGBC, are often released in the wake of sexual abuse allegations involving clergy. While such statements may reflect genuine concern, they do not substitute for institutional accountability.
Institutions that operate programs for children carry an ongoing legal responsibility to implement and enforce meaningful safeguards. That duty includes thorough screening procedures and consistent supervision policies designed to prevent harm before it occurs.
Public statements of regret cannot erase harm or its lasting impact. Accountability requires more than words. It requires transparency, evaluation of existing policies, and concrete steps to ensure that protection systems are not only in place, but actively enforced.
The true test of institutional accountability lies in the effectiveness of its systems, not in the language of its public response.
Civil Accountability and Legal Options for Survivors
Criminal proceedings will determine individual accountability for Rodgers. Separately, civil action can provide a pathway to examine whether an institution fulfilled their legal duty to protect those in their care.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse may have the right to pursue civil claims against institutions who enabled abuse. Civil litigation can examine whether warning signs were missed and if there were systems in place to protect children. Civil cases can also provide financial support for counseling and long-term recovery.
If you or someone you love believes were harmed by a David A. Rodgers or another clergy member, minister, coach, or authority figure, you do not have to navigate this process alone.
The attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote represent survivors of sexual abuse nationwide. Our firm has extensive experience handling cases involving churches, youth organizations, and other institutions entrusted with the safety of children.
We offer free, confidential case evaluations to help survivors understand their rights and explore the legal options that may be available to them. Our team approaches every case with compassion for survivors and a commitment to holding institutions accountable.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, courtesy of Kentucky Today. David Rodgers, courtesy of PGB Church. David Rodgers mugshot, courtesy of DCSO, via WIKY.
