Truett student arrested on sexual assault charges

Photo credit: Penelope Shirey

By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer

George W. Truett Theological Seminary student Benjamin Nelson was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexually assaulting a child and engaging in deadly conduct, according to the Whitney Police Department.

Nelson is currently being held at Hill County Jail, and bail was posted at $755,000 — $375,000 for each of his two counts of aggravated assault of a child and $5,000 for engaging in deadly conduct, according to an employee at Hill County Jail.

Baylor spokesperson Lori Fogleman confirmed that Nelson is a first-year seminary student but said she could not comment further due to student privacy laws.

Nelson is also a pastor at Peoria Baptist Church in Hillsboro, according to the church’s website.

KWTX reported that Nelson was found having sex with a 13-year-old girl in his car parked outside the girl’s home. They reported that, according to the affidavit, when the girl exited the car and was standing behind it with her mother, Nelson drove the car in reverse and attempted to run them over.

Whitney Police are asking for witnesses or anyone with more information to come forward.