An outspoken Brunswick pastor who is also active in Jacksonville politics has been arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
56-year-old Ken Adkins is accused of aggravated child molestation and child molestation. He turned himself in to the Glynn County Jail at 9 AM Friday. The investigation started with the Brunswick Police Department, but the GBI in Kingsland was called in to assist two weeks ago.
While law enforcement isn’t giving many details at this time because the investigation is still ongoing, Adkins’ wife spoke out Friday in support of her husband.
“We are disappointed by what appears to be a rush to judgement by law enforcement authorities in this case,” says Charlotte Adkins.
She further says they believe Adkins will be found innocent, but he has chosen to go on unpaid leave from their Church while the charges are dealt with.
She says the allegations deal with a boy in their teen ministry.
“I am deeply troubled by the things that are happening with that young man. To be sure, he is in our thoughts and our prayers, even now,” she says.
Adkins’ lawyer, Kevin Gough, adds the alleged events happened in 2010.
“From what it appears now, it looks like the investigation was not completed,” Gough says.
He added that he was only contacted by Adkins Thursday night, and it was the first he heard of the allegations. Gough questions the timing of the arrest, saying preliminary hearings are only held once a week in Glynn County, and the arrest early this morning means they won’t get before a judge until next Friday. He is nonetheless filing a bond motion to try to get Adkins out.
Adkins served as a panelist on a “Community Conversation” hosted by Jacksonville’s Mayor regarding a possible expansion of the City’s Human Rights Ordinance to include protections based on “sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression” for housing, employment, and public accommodations. Adkins was opposed to any expansion, and has made many controversial comments publicly about LGBT rights. In response to the arrest, the Mayor issued a statement to WOKV.
“I know nothing more about the allegations than what has been reported in the news, but it sickens me. If he is found to have done what he stands accused of, he deserves the fullest punishment the law allows,” the statement says.
The website for The Greater Church says they have congregations in Brunswick, Atlanta, and Beechwood Road in Jacksonville.
This is a developing story that will be updated through the afternoon.
Sign Up
