SULPHUR SPRINGS, Ind. — An Indiana youth pastor has been charged with three counts of child solicitation and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor, according to newly released court documents.
Bryan Crabtree, 35, of Sulpher Springs, Indiana, served as a youth pastor at Sulpher Springs Christian Church, in addition to being a substitute teacher with the Shenandoah School Corporation.
Court documents say on Wednesday, June 12, detectives with the Henry County Sheriff's Office were notified of a possible sex offense had occurred in Henry County, and the suspect was identified as Crabtree.
When HCSO detectives arrived at the church to begin an investigation, court documents say Crabtree was already at the church to "retrieve something he forgot."
At this time, court documents say Crabtree was unaware of the accusations against him, but the church was aware and planned to meet with him to inform him of their decision to place him on leave, pending the investigation.
As Crabtree and the officers met at the church, court documents say Crabtree said he "knew something was up" and upon being notified by the church's board of elders of their decision to place him on leave, Crabtree allegedly said he "knew this would come out at some point."
Court documents say the pastor of the church told police he had received an anonymous letter regarding rumors around Crabtree and that the anonymous subject was fearful of the situation due to Crabtree's status as a youth pastor.
Police reportedly spoke to the victim, who allegedly told police her relationship with Crabtree began when she was a 14-year-old freshman at Shenandoah High School.
The victim told police the relationship began with the two sharing pictures and videos, but the relationship eventually turned physical and allegedly continued until the victim was a freshman in college. The victim allegedly told police the two had physical relations "around 10 times or less" and that most of their physical relations occurred within the church.
Crabtree was taken to the HCSO to give a statement to police. In the statement, court documents say Crabtree admitted to having been attracted to the victim for "a while" because she was "a beautiful girl." Crabtree initially claimed the victim was 18, but court documents say he later changed his story to describe the victim as "17 or 18."
Court documents say Crabtree "knew it was wrong," but allegedly tried to justify it by saying he was "going through a lot at home with his young son and wife." He allegedly told police his wife and he had stopped being intimate and that he "had no one to talk to or confide in."
Crabtree allegedly told police that the relationship with the victim began friendly, but later told police he "definitely wanted (the relationship) to go there" but "nothing happened" until the victim was "a senior or possibly a junior."
After further questioning, court documents say Crabtree changed his story again, saying the victim was 16, before again changing it to "14 or 15" upon being informed the questioning officer knew how old the victim really was.
Court documents show after initially denying allegations, Crabtree eventually admitted to police most of his physical relations with the victim occurred inside the church, as well as at his house.
Crabtree allegedly told police there were "probably 3-4 dozen" pictures and videos sent between Crabtree and the victim, including "to do lists" in which he would request certain sexual pictures or videos.
According to online court records, Crabtree's cash bond was set at $3,750, and his initial hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 1 at 11 a.m.
Sulphur Springs is approximately 55 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis.
