by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
WAYNESBURG, USA (Worthy News) — A Southern Baptist pastor in the U.S. state of Kentucky faces multiple charges of child sexual abuse, human trafficking and incest after several people came forward accusing him of offenses dating back more than a decade, authorities confirmed.
Scott Christian Hughes, 54, pastor of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Waynesburg, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of Lexington, was arrested October 1 at his home in Somerset, according to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities initially charged Hughes with offenses including sodomy, sexual abuse and incest. Additional charges announced October 8 included first-degree and second-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, human trafficking involving a minor and incest.
Investigators said one alleged victim, now an adult man, reported that Hughes began sexually abusing him when he was approximately 10 years old and continued for several years, including incidents in Pulaski County.
MORE ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
Another person, also now an adult, reported alleged abuse dating to 2012 and 2013, when the individual was a minor. Authorities said those alleged incidents occurred outside Pulaski County, while their initial investigation involved accusations of sexual offenses against minors beginning in 2018.
Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones urged anyone with additional information to contact law enforcement.
“We encourage anyone who may have information to come forward and speak with law enforcement,” Jones said. “Investigations like this can take time, particularly when the alleged conduct occurred years ago, but every piece of information can be important.”
Pleasant View Baptist Church, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, placed Hughes on administrative leave October 2, relieving him of all pastoral duties pending the investigation.
BAPTIST CHURCH RESPONDS
“We are deeply concerned and committed to handling this situation with care, integrity, and respect for all individuals involved,” the church said in a statement.
Hughes previously served at Eubank Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Bronston, both in Kentucky. The congregations expressed concern for those affected and called for prayers and justice.
The pastor also worked from 2022 to 2024 for Sunrise Children’s Services, a Baptist organization providing care for vulnerable children, including adolescents struggling with substance abuse.
The organization said it conducted background checks on employees and pledged full cooperation with investigators. Authorities have not publicly established any connection between the alleged offenses and his employment there.
PASTOR’S SON RESPONDS
Hughes’ son, Noah Hughes, also publicly encouraged potential victims to contact authorities, according to local media, indicating that family relationships should not prevent accountability.
Hughes, who faces potentially decades in prison if convicted, was scheduled to appear in court Monday, October 12.
Authorities have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could follow.
Hughes has not publicly commented on the allegations, according to available reports.
He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
