The Black Collar Crime Series relies on public news stories and publicly available information for its content. If any incorrect information is found, please contact Bruce Gerencser. Nothing in this post should be construed as an accusation of guilt. Those accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.
Andrew Apple, an Evangelical youth leader in Bentonville, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting minor church girls and was sentenced to thirty-two years in prison.
A former volunteer at a Bentonville church accused of multiple criminal charges has been sentenced to more than three decades in prison, according to court documents.
Andrew Apple, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree sexual assault on Monday as part of a plea agreement, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Josh Robinson confirmed to KNWA/FOX24. He was sentenced to 32 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Court documents filed in February said Apple was a volunteer at a church where incidents of sexual assault took place on church grounds.
The affidavits do not specify which church Apple volunteered at, but a pastor at Calvary Church in Bentonville previously confirmed to KNWA/FOX24 that Apple was a youth volunteer before his arrest.
Calvary Church Lead Pastor Chantry Dean issued a statement on Feb. 26 about Apple’s arrest.
“It is with deep sorrow that we address a situation affecting our church family,” Dean said. “We have been made aware of serious allegations against Andrew Apple, a former volunteer at our church.”
Dean said Apple was serving as the church’s media coordinator “around three or four years ago” when the alleged incidents took place.
In January 2024, Apple became a volunteer youth mentor and was in that role until Feb. 1, 2025, after the church was made aware of the allegations and removed him.
Dean said the church was cooperating with law enforcement on the case.
A probable cause affidavit said the investigation began when police received a child abuse hotline tip from Arkansas State Police on Feb. 4, 2025, alleging inappropriate behavior by Apple.
As the investigation unfolded, two victims came forward with accounts of prolonged abuse.
The first victim, whose identity was redacted, reported that the abuse started when they were around 13 years old while volunteering with Apple at the church.
A second victim, also a minor at the time, disclosed an alleged pattern of abuse that escalated over time.
When interviewed by police, Apple reportedly admitted to some of the accusations and having “a sexual relationship” with the second victim since they were 13 years old, according to a probable cause affidavit.
….
Apple was previously facing rape, second-degree sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child charges. His trial was scheduled to begin on Dec. 16.
Bruce Gerencser, 69, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 48 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
Your comments are welcome and appreciated. All first-time comments are moderated. Please read the commenting rules before commenting.
You can email Bruce via the Contact Form.
Want to Respond to Bruce? Fire Away! If You Are a First Time Commenter, Please Read the Comment Policy Located at the Top of the Page.