A former local pastor and substitute teacher’s trial was continued in court proceedings Tuesday morning.
Ernest Sampson, age 56, has been indicted with two counts of rape and three counts of gross sexual
imposition, involving at least one child.
The trial of the former pastor of Zion United Methodist Church in Luckey was set to begin on Tuesday in
Lucas County Common Pleas Court; however Sampson’s attorney requested and was granted a continuance. The
case is now set to be heard Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Frederick McDonald.
He also had been employed as a substitute teacher having served various schools including the Rossford
Local Schools in 2010-11.
Sampson’s charges indicate a victim under the age of 13 in one of the rape counts and two of the sexual
imposition charges. A Lucas County grand jury filed the charges in February.
The first rape count alleges Sampson engaged in sexual conduct with a child between Jan. 1, 2009 and July
19, 2010. The second rape count involves similar actions with the victim between July 20, 2010 through
March 31, 2012.
The first gross sexual imposition charge is parallel as to the dates in the first rape count, involving a
child under 13. The second imposition count alleges sexual contact with a victim between January 2009
through Oct. 22, 2011. The final imposition count parallels the second rape count in dates.
The verbiage in all three sexual imposition counts alleges, in part, Sampson “did knowingly have sexual
contact with another … or cause two or more other persons to have sexual contact.”
The rape counts are first-degree felonies; the first two imposition charges are third-degree felonies and
the final a fourth-degree offense.
The former pastor remains in custody at the Lucas County jail being held on $350,000 bond, with no 10
percent applicable. $100,00 on each rape count and $50,000 each on the other charges.
A statement from the United Methodist office stated, “The West Ohio Conference was deeply disturbed to
learn” of the arrest and charges filed against Sampson.
He was at the time officially a part-time licensed pastor serving the Luckey church.
The statement from the office continued, “According to court records and our understanding, none of the
disturbing incidents were reported to have occurred at the church or at church-related activities.
“We do take any such allegations extremely seriously. Upon learning of his arrest in February and the
nature of the charges, we immediately removed Mr. Sampson from any position on the church’s pastoral
team and relieved him of all of his responsibilities at the church. He no longer has any official
position with The United Methodist Church.”
The church statement also said it appeals for “patience, grace and prayer for all who may be affected by
this situation.”
The Rossford school district office said Sampson had a clean record with them and no problems were
reported.