Priest facing rape charges investigated this month in Dayton allegation

Father Geoff Drew, a Catholic priest who is facing child rape charges in Hamilton County, was investigated earlier this month for alleged inappropriate behavior in Montgomery County, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Drew is charged with nine counts of rape involving an altar boy that occurred from 1988-1991 at St. Jude Church in Hamilton County while he was employed as a music director.

RELATED: Former Butler County priest indicted on rape charges in Hamilton County

Drew previously worked at several local parishes, including as a parochial vicar at St. Luke in Beavercreek from July 2004-June 2005 and pastor at St. Rita in Dayton from July 2005 to June 2009, according to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

On Aug. 1, the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office received an allegation of inappropriate behavior by Drew, according to Cara Sweet, executive assistant to Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr.

An investigator reviewed the allegation and investigated it, but “at the present time, it appears there was no criminal conduct,” Sweet said.

Greene County Prosecutor Stephen Haller said his office has not received any complaints about Drew.

“If someone has a complaint or think they’ve been abused or think someone else has been abused, if it was at a Beavercreek parish, they can make a complaint with Beavercreek police,” Haller said.

The allegations that led to the indictment involve an alleged victim who was 10 and 11 years old at the time. The victim is now 41.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters credited the man for his bravery in coming forward.

“We believe there is a pretty good probability there are other victims at schools he worked at,” Deters said.

The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office encourages anyone with information concerning potential criminal conduct by Drew while he was at St. Rita to contact Criminal Investigator Jessi Simpson at (937) 225-3444 or simpsonjr@mcohio.org.

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