Youth Minister Indicted On Child Rape Charges

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Youth Minister Indicted On Child Rape Charges

Teen Apparently Assaulted Boys At His Parents' Home

POSTED: 12:46 pm CST January 22, 2010

UPDATED: 5:49 pm CST January 22, 2010

LEBANON, Tenn. -- An 18-year-old church youth minister has been indicted on nine counts of child rape. Sheriff Terry Ashe said he used his job to take advantage of children.

The parents of three boys said the alleged incidents occurred separately between January and June 2009. The children, ages 10 and 11, apparently stayed overnight with Tavaria Merritt, of Lebanon's True Vine Church, at his parents' home.

"He used his position as a youth minister to gain confidence of these children and then later the families, apparently," said Ashe. "He had them over to his home."

Ashe said Merritt made these choices alone and that it's no reflection on the church, which used to be located close to downtown Lebanon but not longer exists. He said he fears there could be more victims.

"We don't know personally of any other victims at this time, but there may be some that may be unrelated to the church, so, that may be related directly to him," said Ashe.

Merritt, who was 17 at the time of the alleged incidents, is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 29. He'll be tried as an adult. He is out of jail after posting bond, set at $40,000.