State-Journal.com - Child molester could get 20 years

Steven Hodges

A former official with Crossway Ministries has pleaded guilty to a number of child molestation charges and could get 20 years at his sentencing in February.

With his trial looming, Steven W. Hodges, 27, of 902 Tierra Linda Apt. 8, admitted Friday to sodomy, intimidating a witness, use of a minor in a sexual performance and other charges dating back to May 2006.

His trial was set for Monday. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dana Todd said she prepared for it last week.

The victim, 14 at the time of the incidents, was prepared to testify, Todd said.

“I don’t think the term ‘anxious’ begins to capture the stress the victim in this case has experienced contemplating testifying about these kinds of experiences,” Todd said.

According to court documents, Hodges sexually assaulted the victim, whom he met at Camp Pleasant Baptist Church on Shadrick Ferry Road, three times between May 6 and May 30, 2006.

Hodges took the victim to see the movies “RV” and “Scary Movie 4” in Louisville on May 6, 2006, the victim’s mother told state police. Hodges made the victim watch explicit material on his laptop and touch himself while driving back, the mother said.

The victim spent the night with Hodges on May 20, 2006, when he was sodomized, the victim told state police.

The victim went to Hodges’ apartment May 30, 2006, to burn a CD, and Hodges forced him to perform oral sex, the victim told state police.

Hodges said he’d kill the victim if he told anyone, court documents say.

The victim told police Hodges gave him tobacco and marijuana, court documents show.

Hodges changed attorneys a number of times throughout the case. Todd says that’s what caused the multiyear delay.

He faces at least 15 years and as many as 20, the plea agreement says.

Hodges held positions with Crossway Ministries – a Christian organization focused on serving prisoners and their families, Crossway Ministries’ Web site says.

He was corporate secretary, treasurer and editor of the organization’s newsletter.

Crossway Ministries is not connected to Camp Pleasant Baptist Church, Don Karsner, pastor at Camp Pleasant, told The State Journal in July 2006.

Hodges officially pleaded guilty to three counts of sodomy, intimidating a witness, unlawful transaction with a minor, use of a minor in a sexual performance and distribution of obscene material to a minor.

He will be sentenced Feb. 26.