Duluth Vineyard Pastor Jailed on Charges of Sexual Misconduct With 5 Minors

Jackson Gatlin, 35, of Duluth, Minn., has been jailed and charged with 10 felony counts of criminal sexual conduct related to alleged sexual misconduct with five teenage girls over a three-year period. Gatlin, who previously served as a volunteer youth leader at The Vineyard Church in Duluth, is being held at St. Louis County Jail on $300,000 bond. The charges stem from alleged incidents between 2007 and 2010.

A probable cause statement obtained by The Roys Report recounts prosecutors’ interviews with victims, who allege sexual misconduct and abuse of authority by Gatlin as a church leader. Multiple minor victims recounted Gatlin’s grooming behavior through text messages and subsequent sexual abuse, including being restrained and forcibly violated. These accounts align with broader concerns about the misuse of power and the need for accountability within religious institutions.

In one incident from spring 2009, Gatlin, then age 20, allegedly drove a 16-year-old girl to his home following a period of “flirting through text messages.” He allegedly took her to his parents’ bedroom, tied her arms above her head using shoelaces, and removed her pants. According to the statement, he ignored her objections and attempted sexual intercourse, which “caused intense pain,” the victim reported.

Another victim of Gatlin’s alleged misconduct was 12 years old at the time of the first reported incident. Prosecutors allege other incidents involved Gatlin kissing, groping, and sexually assaulting teenage female victims. These reportedly occurred in Gatlin’s vehicle, on a bus on the way to a church summer camp, and at the camp itself.

Gatlin, who was subsequently hired by Duluth Vineyard as the young adult and online community pastor, was suspended last December as a staff member. Duluth Vineyard is affiliated with Vineyard USA, a network of 500+ congregations in the charismatic tradition. The church’s leadership has since distanced itself from Gatlin, acknowledging the need for transparency and accountability in leadership.

Jackson Gatlin is the son of Michael Gatlin, who had served as the church’s senior pastor since 1997, and his wife, Brenda. Michael Gatlin resigned as senior pastor in February, as previously reported by The Roys Report, and a statement on the church’s website noted he “failed to cooperate” with the church’s investigation. This highlights the importance of institutional responsibility and the necessity for leaders to prioritize the welfare of those under their care.

The case underscores the critical need for vigilance, integrity, and justice within church leadership. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, we are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the vulnerable. This case calls for a renewed commitment to these principles, ensuring that the church remains a place of safety, healing, and moral clarity.

Source: Read the original report