Reagan Danielle Gray, a former volunteer at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault in the second degree on Monday. The 26-year-old Monticello resident was accused of abusing a 15-year-old boy at the church during her time as a student minister and employee at Little Rock Christian Academy. The abuse began in 2020 and continued into the summer of 2021.
Initially, Gray faced charges of sexual assault in the first and fourth degrees, but she reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, ultimately pleading guilty to the lesser charge of sexual assault in the second degree. Judge Latonya Honorable sentenced Gray to six years of probation, imposed a $1,000 fine, and ordered her to submit a DNA sample. Additionally, Gray must register as a sex offender and is prohibited from having contact with the victim.
The investigation into Gray’s actions began after the victim’s parents discovered text messages between their son and Gray in 2020. The messages were reported to a senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church, prompting an internal investigation. According to the affidavit, when confronted by then-head pastor Steven Smith, Gray claimed the relationship was not physical. Despite being removed from student ministry and required to undergo counseling, Gray was reinstated to her position shortly thereafter.
In February 2024, Gray was also removed from her position at Sylvan Hills Middle School. The case is part of a broader controversy involving Immanuel Baptist Church, which is currently facing two lawsuits. One suit, filed on behalf of “John Doe,” and another filed on behalf of “Jane Doe,” allege that the church covered up sexual abuse claims and that other victims are expected to come forward. Gray is named in one of these lawsuits.
Pastor Steven Smith resigned from his position as the church’s lead pastor in April 2024 amid the controversy surrounding the church’s handling of sexual abuse allegations. The situation has raised serious questions about the church’s response to reports of abuse, and further legal actions may follow as more victims speak out.
