Troy youth pastor booked on sex charge

TROY, Ohio (WDTN) - A 26-year-old youth pastor is behind bars in Miami County facing a preliminary sexual battery charge.

Jail Records show Michael “Mic” Mohler was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Troy. He appeared in court Wednesday where a judge ordered him held in lieu of $100,000 bond. 

Mohler's arrest stemmed from an investigation into allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old parishioner, Miami County Lt. Steve Lord told 2 NEWS.

"He was helping her with some of her studies and I think there were times he was giving her spiritual guidance perhaps. Then it just evolved into the relationship that became inappropriate under the law," added Lt. Lord.

The website for Troy’s First United Methodist Church lists Mohler as a “Resident Pastor." The congregation's lead pastor declined to comment on camera, but released a written statement.

"Yesterday a member of our pastoral staff, Michael Mohler, was arrested and charged with 3 ^rd degree sexual battery.  We take any such allegations extremely seriously," said Pastor David Leckrone. "Upon learning of his arrest and the nature of the charges, we immediately removed Mr. Mohler from any position on our pastoral team and relieved him of all of his responsibilities at our church.  We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they pursue the facts".

Leckron went on to say, "as we learn more about this situation, please know that we are shocked and deeply saddened and appeal for patience, grace and prayer for our congregation, for the young person who made the allegations and her family, for our colleague, and for all who may be affected by this situation".

Investigators ask anyone with any additional information about the case to call the Miami County Sheriff's Office at 937-440-6085 or 937-440-9911