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Police File Charges Against Youth Minister

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

SARASOTA — Jesse Knowlin wanted to become a teacher's aide and seemed to be the perfect candidate.

He was a youth minister at a Newtown church. He had part-time work at a summer camp. He helped children get ready for the FCAT at the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota. And those who knew Knowlin raved about his honesty, his creativity and his patience with children.

Knowlin, 24, was hired this year by Wilkinson Elementary School but he abruptly resigned on Tuesday — writing a letter to the principal and district officials that said he "violated" two teenage boys that he met at church.

Police who arrested Knowlin on Wednesday filed additional charges against him on Thursday, accusing him of molesting the boys during sleepovers at his home. Knowlin was held Thursday night at the Sarasota County Jail, and it was not clear if he had hired an attorney.

A Washington, D.C., native who graduated from the Ringling College of Art and Design, Knowlin was a popular youth minister at Bethlehem Baptist Church and was known in teaching circles for winning the trust of students.

Detective Charles Riffe said that Knowlin met the teens through church.

Bethlehem Baptist's pastor, the Rev. Patrick Miller, was out of town this week, said Harold Bradshaw, a church board member. "We at Bethlehem Baptist Church are deeply grieved and sorrowed by these serious charges," Bradshaw said in a prepared statement.

Once he graduated from Ringling, Knowlin began working with students — whether it was as a substitute at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences or during the after-school program at the Boys & Girls Club.

By all accounts, he was hard working and kind, and developed good relationships with the students and staff.

"If anything, I thought he walked on water," said Pepar Anspaugh, the principal at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. "I was more than taken aback when I heard it. I said, 'No. Not him. It can't be him.'

"Turns out it was."

Once the allegations surfaced over the weekend, Knowlin immediately resigned. In the letters to the school district, Knowlin admitted that he "wrongfully touched" the boys and that he "made the mistake of not keeping my hands to myself."

"These were the only two people I have ever violated," Knowlin wrote. "I have never touched any child at school ever."

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