GALLIPOLIS — A Gallia County pastor arrested last week on allegations that he had had sexual contact with a underage student was arraigned in the Common Pleas Court of Gallia County on Monday and has been charged with 20 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

David A. Young, 46, of Linwood Drive, Rio Grande, pleaded not guilty to the alleged sexual conduct with a victim the indictment only describes as a 15-year-old “Jane Doe.”

The indictment further states that the alleged offenses against the victim occurred during a period of time between September 25, 2011, and September 25, 2012.

Young was arrested on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 16 by deputies with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of agents with the Crimes Against Children Unit of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

A joint investigation by the two agencies led to Young’s arrest last week at the Simpson United Methodist Church in Rio Grande, where he is the pastor.

Reportedly, the victim in this case had been a part of a class Young had taught through the church.

The defendant made an initial appearance in the Gallipolis Municipal Court following his arrest, and he had been scheduled to appear for a probable cause hearing where it was expected that this case would have bound over to the common pleas. However, charges were later dismissed at the municipal court as Young’s case was heard in the common pleas court by a grand jury late last week and an indictment was issued.

During Monday’s arraignment hearing before Common Pleas Judge D. Dean Evans, Young’s bond was set at $250,000, 10 percent, with an additional $1,500, 10 percent bond.

The defendant was found indigent and defense attorney Charles Knight was appointed as counsel in this case.

A jury trial has been scheduled for January 9, 2013, and a negotiated plea agreement may be filed by December 28.

Young is currently being held in the Gallia County Jail.

According to the original press release issued by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, investigators are warning the community that there could be other victims.

Anyone with information concerning Young has been asked to contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446) or the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 446-1221.