Garry Evans (pictured), 72, was arrested on Wednesday on at least a dozen child molestation charges
A pastor in Indiana has been arrested on child molestation charges following an investigation into sexual assault allegations.
Officers with the Rushville Police Department say that 72-year-old Garry Evans was placed under arrest on Thursday and accused of at least a dozen felonies.
He was charged with three counts of child molestation, four counts of sexual battery, and five counts of child solicitation, according to local affiliate FOX 59.
Police first began investigating Evans on September 3, when the mother of a three-year-old girl informed authorities that her daughter was sexually solicited by the pastor.
According to an affidavit, the girl told her mother that Evans lead her to his private office with the promise of candy.
Evans was charged with three counts of child molestation, four counts of sexual battery, and five counts of child solicitation (Pictured: Rushville Baptist Temple)
It was there that the pastor removed his pants and made her touch his penis, telling the three-year-old girl afterwards not to discuss the incident with anyone.
On September 22, police executed a warrant for Evans’ arrest at the Rushville Baptist Temple Church in the 1300 block of North Spencer Street, FOX 59 reported.
‘There’s not been a day gone by that we haven’t done something associated with this case,’ said Rushville Police Chief Craig Tucker.
Police chief Craig Tucker (pictured) is encouraging anyone with information to come forward and speak
As news of Evans’ arrest spread through the church, parents began asking their children if the pastor had ever done anything to them.
According to FOX 59 citing court documents, authorities have interviewed four more girls under the age of 10 who said Evans molested them.
One girl even claimed that she was solicited ‘nearly every time she went to church.’
Each incident was initiated after Evans offered the girls candy in his private office.
Tucker believes there are more victims who have yet to come forward, and is encouraging anyone with information to share their knowledge with police.
‘If you have a child who has exhibited unusual behavior after being in the vicinity of the church or this pastor and you believe there has been something that has happened to this child that might indicate something inappropriate happened, we definitely want them to give us a call,’ Chief Tucker said.
Evans, who had been a pastor at Rushville Baptist Temple for last 30 years, is being held without bond at the Rush County Jail.