Pastor charged in family sex crime

GARRETT, Ind. (WANE) - A local pastor is facing a child molesting charge. NewsChannel 15 uncovered the victim is his 7-year old granddaughter.

Lane Andrews, 54, of Garrett faces a felony charge of allowing a child under the age of 14 to fondle him. If convicted he could spend four years behind bars.

Andrew's victim told police she didn't remember exactly when the incident happened, but said her grandfather asked her to touch him inappropriately and also asked her not to tell anyone. The encounter happened during a period of time when the Andrews' daughter and granddaughter were living with him.

"It is very disturbing," said DeKalb County Chief Deputy Jay Oberholtzer. "A lot of times in these investigation, it's a pattern. I think it's very hard to uncover those patterns."

During the investigation, that's exactly what police did, though. Court documents filed in DeKalb Superior Court II show two of Andrews' grown daughters told police he had touched them inappropriately when they were children. No charges have been filed for as a result of those claims.

Andrews is the pastor of New Life Ministries in Garrett. Micheal Lee, a former church member of 15 years, said the news of the arrest took him by surprise.

"Pretty much just a disgrace, is kind of how I'm looking at it right now," said Lee. "Disrespect. Inappropriate and completely disgusting."

Andrews posted bail, and is out of the DeKalb County Jail. NewsChannel 15 knocked on his door in the 5000 block of County Road 17 in Garrett. A woman said Andrews was not home, and declined an interview.

Andrews has stepped down from his position at the church for the time being. He's due in court June 1st.