HARRISBURG, PA — A former youth pastor from Bradford County has admitted to charges of aggravated indecent assault and statutory sexual assault in a case stemming from decades-old allegations of child abuse. Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that Robert David Fenton, 55, entered his guilty plea on Thursday in Pennsylvania court.
The charges against Fenton arose from incidents that occurred between 1996 and 1998 when he served as a youth pastor at Abide in the Vine church. During this time, Fenton, who was 26 years old, exploited his position of authority to abuse a 14-year-old victim. According to investigators, Fenton deceived the victim’s parents and church officials by claiming he had received a divine “vision” that he and the child were to be married. This fabricated betrothal allowed Fenton to carry out his sexual abuse under a guise of religious legitimacy.
Fenton later fled the United States to avoid prosecution, first escaping to Australia. However, he was apprehended in April 2024 while attempting to enter the Philippines. Following his arrest, he was extradited to Pennsylvania to face justice.
“This trusted mentor figure used religion to get close to, and exploit, this child for his own sexual gratification,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry. “Investigators went to great lengths — literally — to bring this defendant to justice for deviate crimes he committed decades ago.”
Fenton will now undergo an evaluation by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board in Pennsylvania, with sentencing scheduled to occur at a later date. Deputy Attorney General Rachael Coleman prosecuted the case and highlighted the Attorney General’s Office’s efforts to hold perpetrators of child abuse accountable, regardless of the time that has passed.
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