UPDATE @ 11:07 p.m. (May 1): A Dayton church pastor accused of two sex-related crimes has been cleared after a Montgomery County grand jury this week ignored the charges filed against him.
Chad White Sr., 44, was arrested March 23 by Dayton police on charges of attempted rape by force and gross sexual imposition.
He, for 15 years, has been pastor of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, according to defense attorney Ben Swift, who in March asked the community to withhold judgment until the case was resolved.
The grand jury report issued April 30 lists the case against White as "charges ignored."
Tuesday night, Swift said, "Grand juries are secret proceedings. Only the prosecutor is allowed to be present and so we never know what goes on.
"From the beginning, I told the community to not rush to judgment... A few weeks later, we see why."
White is moving on with his life, Swift said.
"He is grateful, wants to put this behind him and move forward."
White was in jail about five days after his arrest and posted bond soon after that. He has not been in jail since.
Swift said White plans to return to the pastorate of his church now that this is behind him.
INITIAL REPORT (March 23)
A Dayton man who is believed to be the current pastor of a local church is jailed on two sex-related charges.
Chad A. White Sr., 44, was arrested by Dayton police around 1:45 a.m. Friday and was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on suspicion of attempted rape and gross sexual imposition.
White is said to be the pastor of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. A call to the church went unanswered Friday and a voicemail system identified White as the pastor.
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A Dayton police report indicated the alleged crime was reported in the 2100 block of Kipling Drive around 12:45 a.m. Friday.
White is due for arraignment Monday in Dayton Municipal Court, according to jail records.
We’re working to learn more on the accusations made against the pastor.
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