A former West Columbia youth pastor is accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy for more than two years.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department announced Oct. 21 the arrest of Michael Paul Keech, 41, “charged with three second-degree counts and one third-degree count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 16,” according to a press release.

The release states that the alleged victim recounted sexual encounters with Keech stretching from July 2019 to February 2022.

“Our investigation started after a family member of the alleged victim reported signs of the abuse to us,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon is quoted. “Our work on the case included gathering evidence from the alleged victim’s home and interviewing him.”

According to Keech’s Facebook page, he began working at Saluda River Baptist Church in April 2019.

Reached by the Chronicle, John Yorio, the church’s pastor, confirmed that Keech was employed as a youth pastor there until he was fired in March 2021.

“I had just started two weeks beforehand,” Yorio said. “And there were some things that were in the personnel file that I found to be not conducive of the personality and character of somebody serving in ministry. So we fired him.”

Yorio said he could not comment further on what caused Keech to be fired.

“What I can say is that we, from then up until recently, have cooperated with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department,” the pastor said. “They have all the information we have.”

Arrest warrants provided to the Chronicle offer more detail on the sexual abuse Keech is accused of committing. 

[Editor’s note: The next two paragraphs include graphic descriptions of sexual abuse.]

He is accused of performing oral sex on the teenage boy and coercing the victim to perform oral sex on him — “Keech would proceed to ejaculate on a pair of the victim’s pajama bottoms which were seized by law enforcement as evidence,” the warrants state. The warrants add that the defendant admitted to receiving oral sex from the victim on multiple occasions and attempting to perform oral sex on him.

Keech is also accused of attempting to penetrate the victim’s anus with his penis, continuing in his attempts after the victim told him to stop — “the victim proceeded to kick the defendant in the leg and flee,” the warrants state.

[Editor’s note: End of graphic descriptions.]

The sheriff’s department is actively seeking more information about potential additional victims, the release states, encouraging those with knowledge to use the Midlands Crimestoppers mobile app to share anonymous tips.

“Keech has previously held positions of trust and authority,” Koon is quoted. “We haven’t ruled out the possibility of more people stepping forward with similar stories of abuse.

“We encourage anyone with information about Keech that could be helpful to us as we move forward on this case to share it with us. We want to make sure we’re doing right by anyone who’s been involved in something against their will.”

Keech was employed as a server at Lil Duck's Treehouse Cafe, frequently posting about the West Columbia restaurant’s specials.

“For the record, we do not condone abuse of any kind,” Lil Duck posted to Facebook. “We are as shocked as you are. When Michael was hired he had no prior criminal record. He was highly recommended. He was a great server. He was an excellent employee who did alot to help out the team. We pray for truth & justice for the families involved to prevail, but we try to remember innocent until proven guilty. We appreciate your support in this time.”

Keech was arrested Oct. 20 and is being held at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Bond was denied on all four of the charges against him.