Former Missouri Youth Pastor Charged with Child Sex Crimes

A former suburban St. Louis youth pastor has been charged with child sex crimes.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 30-year-old Andrew Dickson, of University City, was charged last week in St. Louis County Circuit Court with one count of child molestation and two counts of statutory sodomy. Dickson has been released on bond. His attorney didn’t immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.

Charging documents say that the crimes occurred earlier this year, and Dickson admitted to fondling and engaging in oral sex with a minor at his home.

Central Presbyterian Church executive administrator Tim Page said in a statement that the Clayton church went to authorities immediately upon learning of the “deeply disturbing situation” and proceeded to terminate the youth pastor.