Daily Journal
NEW ALBANY – A New Albany preacher is free on a $75,000 bond after being arrested for the sexual battery of a minor.
Jonathan Tucker, 39, pastor at New Birth Community Church at 614 Glade Street, was arrested by New Albany police on Thursday. He posted bond and was released from the Union County Jail about two hours later, said New Albany Police Chief Chris Robertson.
“It was reported to us about six weeks ago,” said Robertson. “We investigated the allegations and turned it over to the grand jury. They indicted him on three charges – sexual battery, touching a child for lustful purposes and the enticement of a child for sex.”
If convicted of all three charges, Tucker could be sentenced to up to 55 years in prison.
The victim is 13 years old. The investigation is ongoing as officials try to determine when the inappropriate contact began.
“It looks like it has been going on for a good while,” said Robertson.