Jon David Schils, a 27-year old former youth ministry director at Bethel Baptist Church in Cocoa, Florida was criminally charged in December 2016 with molestation of a 14-year old girl he met through his ministry. According to records of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Schils had sexual intercourse with the child on fourteen occasions. Despite the horrific charges, Schils was released by a Brevard County judge on $80,000 bond within days of his arrest.
While out on bond, Schils was arrested once again on April 25, 2017 on felony charges and a Bond Violation. This time he has been charged with Tampering with the original alleged victim and an additional act of Lewd and Lascivious Battery on the same alleged victim committed after he was released on bond.
Cases like this demonstrate the danger of releasing alleged perpetrators of sex offenses on bond. We hope that this time Jon Schils is denied bond so that there will be no opportunity for another alleged offense or any contact with the alleged victim.
Adam Horowitz is experienced in filing claims on behalf of victims of clergy sexual abuse. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual abuse, please e-mail attorney Adam Horowitz at [email protected] or call our law firm at (954) 641-2100.