Police seek Columbus pastor on child molestation and other sex charges

Columbus police are looking for a local pastor wanted on eight charges including six on sexual assault.

Outstanding warrants have been issued for Christopher Daron Smith, pastor of Word of Truth Ministries in Columbus. The charges include two counts each of aggravated child molestation, child molestation, sodomy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Smith’s location is unknown. “We are looking for him,” said Police Lt. Joyce Dent-Fitzpatrick, head of the Special Victims Unit which includes sex crimes.

Records show the case dates to July 6, 2017. An investigation was launched after an officer was called to the Sexual Assault Support Center at 2027 Sixth Ave. to take a report on a sexual assault.

The assault is alleged to have occurred about 11:08 a.m. but no location was listed.

During a November 2016 interview with the Ledger-Enquirer, Smith talked about his passion for cooking and efforts to feed residents of Alpine Drive a Thanksgiving meal. At the time, the church had about 40 members in the congregation.

Smith, a graduate of Kendrick High School and an ordained Baptist minister, founded the non-denominational church in 2012. The mission of the church is “To draw the lost with love, peace, joy, hope and faith through the word of God.”

The church is located at 1493 Cusseta Ave.

This story was originally published September 26, 2018 at 12:13 PM.