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Former Highlands Community Church youth pastor Derek Nelson pleads not guilty to child molestation charge
Derek Nelson, who was fired from the Renton-area church in 2020 over separate sexual misconduct allegations involving adults, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
By Morgen White | FāVS News Reporter
Former youth pastor Derek Nelson entered a plea of not guilty to second-degree child molestation and requested a trial by jury during his Wednesday (June 17) arraignment at Thurston County Superior Court. Nelson could face a maximum of 10 years in prison, and up to $20,000 in monetary penalties if found guilty at trial.
Josh Saunders, co-counsel for Nelson, said he is innocent and intends to fight any charge.
“Mr. Nelson does not know why the alleged victim is saying these things happened. But he does
know that these allegations are not proven and they never will be, because they are false,” Saunders said.
In court, Sarah Tietz, co-counsel for Nelson, requested a restriction to photographing Nelson’s face from the front citing credible threats to him and his family’s lives. Judge Mary Wilson granted the request but maintained that it only applied to Wednesday’s hearing.
Two weeks prior, Wilson denied media restrictions by stating, “I understand that a lot of coverage can impact people’s awareness of the case when you get to the selection of a jury, that alone from the court’s perspective is not sufficient to limit media coverage.”
The allegation
Nelson allegedly touched a 13-year-old boy in a locked Great Wolf Lodge bathroom during a Highlands Community Church function in April 2015.
According to the probable cause affidavit, during a child forensic interview the now 23-year-old said Nelson told him to remove his clothing, before taking his swim trunks off. According to the alleged victim, Nelson yanked on his genitals, while touching and slapping his buttocks, then grabbed him by the ankles and held him upside down telling him he was checking for zits.
Susan Lewis, investigations commander for the Renton Police Department indicated that several people involved were identified but have declined to respond or participate in the investigation. Lewis encourages anyone with any information about this case to contact Detective Scott Barfield at sbarfield@rentonwa.gov.
The alleged victim kept the secret for 10 years because he said Nelson told him he would “pay the price,” which he believed meant Nelson would kill him. He began therapy shortly before the interview with police where he first shared the details to his therapist, then dad — who contacted the police department in March 2025.
Nelson was taken into custody by the Renton Police on the evening of May 27 under suspicion of second-degree child molestation and first-degree voyeurism.
The charges
Second-degree child molestation is a class B felony in Washington State and requires the victim to be between 12 and 14 with the perpetrator being at least three years older.
First-degree voyeurism is a class C felony, requiring a suspect to knowingly view, photograph or film another person’s intimate areas without their consent for the purpose of sexual gratification occurring in a place where the victim would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Tara Tsehlana, public engagement and grants manager at Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, said the prosecutor chose not to file the latter charge, which typically means they do not have sufficient evidence by the charging deadline to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. If additional information or evidence is received, Tsehlana said prosecutors may reconsider.
According to Saunders, the day after Nelson was released from jail he passed a polygraph examination when asked questions specifically about the charges. The polygraph used Axciton Systems technology and protocol.
Saunders said that grabbing a young teenager by the ankles and holding him upside down while molesting him “would be physically very difficult or impossible.” He said there are other inconsistencies the co-counsel will share at the appropriate time.
Additional allegations of sexual misconduct
Nelson was fired by Highlands in 2020 over allegations of sexual misconduct, which involved “adult victims” according to church leadership. Nate Edmondson, lead pastor at Highlands, clarified that those who came forward in 2020 involved different victims than those listed in the criminal case Barfield is investigating.
In an internal message to the congregation addressing Nelson’s termination, church leadership stated, “The accusations have been investigated and confirmed to be accurate, including by Derek’s own admission.”
“We continue to be saddened by the grievous offenses committed by Derek Nelson and are ready to support any survivors in their journey towards healing,” Edmondson said.
According to Wilson who discussed the court’s conditions, Nelson is not allowed contact with minors, including his own children, unless another adult is present.
Nelson’s trial is scheduled for Sept. 8 though Tietz said due to the nature of the charges and further investigations left to complete, “We do believe we will likely need another continuance.”
