Pastor pleads not guilty to battery

Judge refuses to lower $2 million bond for man accused of sex with girl, 15.

Dayton Daily News/November 29, 2006
By Anthony Gottschlich

Huber Heights — A Riverside pastor pleaded not guilty Tuesday to eight counts of sexual battery against a 15-year-old female member of his church.

Dennis Bowling, 45, also requested that his $2 million bond be reduced so he could get out of Montgomery County Jail to take care of his personal affairs and find an attorney. Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge James D. Piergies denied the request and appointed a public defender to represent the Huber Heights resident.

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

Last Wednesday, Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias H. Heck Jr. announced the eight counts against Bowling involving the 15-year-old girl, saying the assaults occurred from September to this month. Revising earlier estimates, Heck's office said Tuesday that Bowling could face 40 years in prison and $80,000 in fines if convicted of those charges.

Bowling could face additional charges as well. Authorities believe there are at least nine other victims, ranging in age 10 to 16.