SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – An anonymous tip led to the arrest of a volunteer, on sexual assault charges, who worked with the youth.
Gregory Richard Yeamans, age 52, was arrested on two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a minor and one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor, on Dec. 31.
An anonymous tip was called into the Spotsylvania Department of Social Services on Dec. 30, alleging sexual abuse of minors by Yeamans.
Detectives interviewed two known victims and were able to find evidence that associated Yeamans to the alleged crimes.
The offenses reportedly occurred at the home of Yeamans in Spotsylvania County. The males victims were ages 11 and 12.
They both confirmed they had contact with Yeamans at Fairview at Riverclub Church located in Spotsylvania County off Tidewater Trail where he volunteered his help with youth programs.
CBS 6 reporter Shelby Brown visited the church that Yeamans attends and spoke with Senior Pastor Zach Ashley. He said that Yeamans attended the Spotsylvania church for at least seven years.
“He served as a volunteer from 2007 until about a year and a half ago," said Asheley. "Mr. Yeamans volunteered in different capacities such as small group leader and he helped drive a bus." The alleged events happened at his home and not here at the church. If he held
"The alleged events happened at his home and not here at the church. If he held Bible studies at his home it was nothing that we in any way supported or promoted,” Ashley explained.
He also said they are very concerned about the two young victims and want to help them.
“We are a church and we want to care for people. To know that kids are out there that may be connected to our church that need care and extra prayers, we want to be able to do that," he said. "It breaks our hearts for any allegations for any church like ours or people in our community, we want to reach out to them and support the family the best way that we can.”
Detectives are continuing their investigation to see if there are any more individuals that may have had inappropriate contact with Yeamans. They said that since news of Yeamans' arrest, they have heard from at least one concerned parent who reported that her son had some interaction with Yeamans. Investigators and now trying to determine the nature of that contact.
Investigators are now trying to determine the nature of that contact.
CBS 6 News learned Yeamans is married, and has an adult daughter and grandchild. He was arraigned Monday in court and is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
He plans on hiring his own attorney and is due back in court at 10 a.m., on Feb. 11.
Spotsylvania Police ask anyone with information to contact Text-A-Tip at 1-800-928-5822 or 1-540-582-5822. The website is http://www.spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org.
***Editor's note. This article previously called Yeaman a youth minister, due to information provided by the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office. They later sent out a correction that said contrary to initial information he is actually a former youth volunteer.
