By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 5, 2026 at 7:05 AM
A 70-year-old Kansas man and pastor, Wade Booth, has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving a minor. The arrest took place in Linn County, Kansas, where Booth faces four counts, including aggravated incest and aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim. The alleged incidents occurred between January 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, according to a criminal complaint.
Booth, who has served as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pleasanton, Kansas, since 2007, appeared in court to face charges that include aggravated incest and teacher-student sexual relations. The most serious of these charges could result in a sentence ranging from 55 to 247 months in prison if he is convicted.
The community and congregation are grappling with the implications of these charges. As neighbors express concern, particularly those with young families, the case has sparked broader discussions about accountability and safety within the community. Advocates, including Protecting Kansas Children from Sexual Predators, have noted that the bond set in this case is relatively high compared to similar cases, reflecting a concerted effort to ensure accountability.
As the community seeks to navigate this challenging time, the principles of justice and care for victims are paramount. The situation calls to mind the biblical call to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8), emphasizing the need for truth, mercy, and accountability.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
