Ex-pastor charged with sex assault waives hearing

A former Chester County pastor waived his preliminary hearing Monday on charges that he raped and impregnated a teenager.

Jacob Malone, 33, of Exton, appearing in handcuffs and wearing a navy blazer and khakis, was accompanied by his attorney at District Court in West Whiteland Township. The 11 charges against him include rape, institutional sexual assault, and corruption of minors.

Malone was arrested last month after a young woman told police he had given her alcohol after she turned 18 and sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated. At the time, she was living with Malone and his wife, who treated her like a daughter, church leaders said. She met Malone when she was 12, when he was serving as a pastor in another state.

Malone worked at Calvary Fellowship, a nondenominational church in Downingtown, for about 18 months. He resigned in November after church leaders found out about the pregnancy.

Police filed charges against Malone on Jan. 8. He was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport a few days later on his return to the United States from Ecuador.

Malone is being held at the Chester County Prison. His formal arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 11 at the Chester County Justice Center.

mbond@philly.com

610-313-8207 @MichaelleBond