Crime & Safety

New Details Emerge About Associate Pastor's Alleged Sexual Contact with Teenage Girl

Darin Evans faces 47 years in prison, his actions called "despicable" by State's Attorney.

Bond has been set at $300,000 for Darin Evans, 41, former associate pastor at West Suburban Community Church in Elmhurst. Evans appeared before Judge Elizabeth Sexton in DuPage Bond Court Tuesday, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

From 2004 to 2011, Evans allegedly sexually assaulted his victim on multiple occasions at multiple locations, including his vehicle, public places and on a church-sponsored youth retreat, according the State's Attorney's Office. ABC News is reporting those locations included cemeteries and restrooms.

Related:

  • Congregation Rocked by Former Associate Pastor's Letter of Confession and Apology
  • Former Associate Pastor Had History of Community Involvement
  • Young Life Volunteer Says Many are 'Praying for Healing' in Wake of Sexual Abuse Confession

"The allegations against Mr. Evans are just despicable,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a prepared statement. “As the youth minister at his victim’s church, he allegedly took advantage of his position and the trust placed in him by his young victim and her family to satisfy his sick sexual desires."

ABC News also is reporting that the victim was 16 when the abuse began, and that Evans told her "he would kill himself if their relationship became public."

The abuse became public last month, when the victim told West Suburban Church Pastor Jim Lennon, who then notified Elmhurst police. On Feb. 24, Lennon read a letter of confession from Evans to his congration.

Evans turned himself in to Elmhurst police Monday. He moved to Dover, Ohio, with his wife and three teen-aged children late last year.

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If convicted, he faces 47 years in prison, ABC reported.

Patch reports on law enforcement activity using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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