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Pastor indicted on 11 counts of battery

The accusation of sex with a 15-year-old may be followed with other charges, officials say.

By Rob Modic

Staff Writer

Thursday, November 30, 2006

DAYTON — A Montgomery County grand jury on Wednesday indicted a Riverside pastor on 11 counts of sexual battery and a prosecutor said more charges "are expected."

Dennis Bowling, 45, remained in the county jail in lieu of $2 million bail as prosecutors arranged for more witnesses to appear before a grand jury.

Extras

Bowling, pastor of Kingdom Harvest Church, 2360 Valley Pike, for 19 years was arrested last week after a group of women from the congregation told police he had sexually assaulted several female members of the church.

Prosecutor Mathias H. Heck Jr. said eight counts were approved on Nov. 22 that involved Bowling and a 15-year-old girl during September.

The 11 counts handed up Wednesday each charge an offense that happened during the three-month period after Sept. 1. However, they do not indicate if they stem from assaults on one child or more.

Mary Montgomery, head of Heck's child abuse bureau, said, "the indictment reflects counts involving at least one victim, but more counts are expected."

Each charge is a third-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2282 or rmodic@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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