Brooksville youth pastor arrested in sex case

A former youth pastor was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of having sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl last summer while employed with a local church.

Brian S. Brijbag, 35, of 122 W. Fort Dade Ave. in Brooksville, was charged with one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Brijbag is accused of having sex with two teenage girls in his office. He was charged because one of the women was younger than 18, police said.

Brooksville Police Chief George Turner said one of the sexual encounters occurred on or around July 17, 2010, and more sexual relations took place on "other dates during the summer."

Brijbag was hired in March 2007 to be the youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Brooksville. The pastor learned of the allegations against Brijbag a couple weeks ago and placed him on administrative leave with pay, said Alan Arick, the worship director at the church.

Brijbag, a married father of three, submitted his resignation to Pastor Matthew Ellis the day after the accusations were made. It was accepted the day of his arrest, Arick said.

"One of the young people involved brought it to the attention of the pastor," said Arick, who declined to be more specific.

Turner said the church contacted his agency with the allegations and conducted its own investigation. Its findings were turned over to police.

"They had meetings with the subjects involved," said Turner. "Everyone they spoke to we spoke to also."

Turner said roughly six people were interviewed, including the victim and the 18-year-old who participated.

Detectives tried to contact Brijbag on several occasions, but he could not be reached, said the chief.

"The church was very concerned about that kind of conduct," said Turner. "They reported it to us ... They didn't waste any time in giving any information to us."

The First Baptist Church of Brooksville is located at 420 Howell Ave.

In addition to his church activities, Brijbag is an active community volunteer and one-time organizer of the Bandshell Bash, a once-per-month free concert series that used to be held at Hernando Park in downtown Brooksville. In 2006, he was the city's redevelopment coordinator.

Brijbag also was an active member of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, but resigned a week ago citing "family reasons," said Executive Director Myndee Washington.

She said Brijbag stopped being active with the council late last year after he decided to go back to school.

"This is a very sad situation for everyone involved," said Jerry Cowling, who is the secretary of the council.

Brijbag hosted an AM radio show - called "Fire Escape" - one night per week on WWJB 1450 in Brooksville. A station manager said he stopped doing the show about six months ago.

On his Facebook page, Brijbag stated he is a host for an internationally syndicated radio program, but wasn't specific.

His Facebook profile also includes a quote from Augusten Burroughs - "I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions."

Brijbag turned himself in Tuesday afternoon at the Hernando County Jail, according to the sheriff's office. His bond was set at $10,000 and he subsequently posted bail.

A message left on Brijbag's cell phone Wednesday afternoon was not returned.

Turner said the sex among the victim, Brijbag and the 18-year-old woman was "consensual."

The victim was about three months away from her 18th birthday, Turner said.