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HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Newly passed and implemented legislation this summer in Kentucky included House Bill 4, which provided language to criminalize efforts made to manipulate a minor into sexual contact with an adult, also known as “grooming.”
Jeremiah Swaw, who was a youth pastor at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, was recently charged under these new parameters. The church announced his dismissal on Aug. 20, a few days after he was taken into custody, saying in a statement that he is accused of an “alleged illegal and immoral act with a minor.”
Swaw turned himself into authorities at Cadiz Police Department on his own volition and admitted to inappropriate physical contact with the minor victim on several occasions but denied the majority of sexual contact allegations, according to reporting from WNKY in Bowling Green.
During his arrest on Aug. 17, he was charged with “any misdemeanor charge not covered by these codes,” since there is no charge currently associated with the new grooming legislation. He was booked into the Christian County Jail and was released on bail the next day.
Hillcrest Baptist Church offers additional statement during service
On Aug. 23, Hillcrest Baptist Church live streamed their entire service and provided additional comment about the arrest, sharing the emotional toll this has had on members of the church and personnel.
“35 years of ministry and this week has been one of the toughest weeks that I’ve ever experienced in my life,” said Lead Pastor Joe Bufford. “There was debate on whether or not we were to broadcast our services live today…some were concerned about the comments that people might have to say about our church. Let them come.”
He explained that staff immediately met to discuss potential action after they were made aware of Swaw’s arrest and relayed the written statement that the church released about their response to immediately dismiss him. This includes also banning him from church sponsored activities.
“Because it is now a criminal matter, we cannot speak to any details or answer any questions,” continued Bufford during the service. “The church will be cooperating with law enforcement and other appropriate authorities, and we are committed to complying fully with our legal counsel.”
He iterated that the alleged offences did not take place on church property, and the safety of youth at their church remains their top priority.
“For those who may be watching this morning who have been victims of abuse, they need to hear and see how does a church respond when such happens within the body of Christ. Let me be very clear, we do not condone such activity nor will we ever,” he said before leading the congregation in prayer.
What House Bill 4 means: Grooming law explained
As of July 2026, an individual could face a misdemeanor or felony charge depending on the age of the minor and circumstances of the behavior. This could result in a one to five year prison sentence.
As defined by the new language in House Bill 4, “grooming behavior” means a course of conduct by an adult directed at a minor either online, in person, or through a third party that is intended to establish an emotional connection through manipulation, trust-building, or influence for the following reasons:
- Facilitate future acts of sexual conduct.
- Normalize or desensitize the minor to acts of sexual conduct even if no in-person meeting or act of sexual conduct is completed.
This also applies to when the individual is in a position of authority or special trust to the minor, or when an “intimate or secretive relationship” is formed with a minor with the intent to entice, coerce, solicit, or induce the minor to engage in sexual conduct with the person or another person.
However, the new legislation does not prevent individuals from communicating with minors for a lawful or legitimate purpose. Including but not limited to the following situations:
- Teaching curriculum on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases as provided.
- The use of a traceable communication system by a school district employee or volunteer.
- The diagnosis or treatment of a minor by a health care provider in a health care facility.
- Communicating with a minor to determine if the minor is dependent, neglected, or abused.
- Age-appropriate conversations about puberty and human sexuality with a minor by the minor’s sibling or parent or guardian.
- Any conversation with a minor that is part of a person’s job-related or volunteer-related duties.
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