Former Church Music Leader Charged with Sexual Contact with a Minor

A Seymour man that served as a music leader at a local church faces charges of sexual contact with a minor from the congregation.

35-year-old John L. Steger, of Seymour, was arrested after an investigation revealed he allegedly had unlawful sexual contact and solicited a minor, says the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.

The parents of a 15-year-old juvenile contacted the sheriff’s office on July 29, 2016 regarding text messages sent by Steger to the juvenile.

“The investigation revealed that Steger was a former music leader at a church where the victim and her family attended,” said Sheriff Ron Seals. “Detectives then found during their investigation that there had been unlawful sexual contact between Steger and the juvenile.”

Steger was charged with Solicitation of a Minor and Sexual Contact by an Authority Figure and arraigned before a Magistrate where a $35,000 bond was set. He is currently incarcerated in Sevier County Jail awaiting a hearing on Sept. 7, 2016.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.