Ashland pastor arrested for sex abuse

Update (12/06/16 1:30 p.m.) — According to First Baptist Church of Ashland officials, Kenneth Leo Baker’s employment with the church was terminated on October 26, 2016.

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Ashland, Ore. – An Ashland pastor is behind bars after he was accused of having sexual contact with an underage girl, according to police.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said 44-year-old Kenneth Leo Baker knew the victim through the First Baptist Church of Ashland.

Baker is no longer listed as a pastor on the First Baptist Church of Ashland’s website. According to an archived version of the page dated from March 1st, 2016, Baker has been a staff member at the church for over 15 years.

Deputies said the alleged contact occurred from 2006 through 2011, with some of the incidents occurring when the girl was younger than 14-year-old.

Baker is currently in custody at the Jackson County Jail on three counts of sex abuse in the first degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, and sexual penetration in the second degree.

So far, deputies said there is only one known alleged victim. If you have any information, contact Detective Seese at 541-774-8304.

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