PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — A Pickaway County pastor and local contractor was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to multiple sexual battery charges involving two minors who were living in his home. In court, there was support on both sides of the aisle, on the defendant’s side, people from his church, and his fiancée/girlfriend, on the other side, juvenile victims, family members, and his wife, who has filed for divorce after reporting the sexual assaults.
Dominic Foor, 40, was sentenced by Pickaway County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Chafin after previously entering a guilty plea to three counts of sexual battery. The plea agreement reduced the original charges, which included 11 counts of sexual battery, six counts of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, and six counts of importuning.
According to prosecutors, the abuse occurred over an extended period inside Foor’s home and involved two children between the ages of 12 and 15. The minors had moved into Foor’s home previous to the death of their father from cancer, a follower of Foor as a pastor. Prosecutors argued that the assaults began not long after the children moved in.
The state told the court that Foor deliberately concealed his actions, including attempting to avoid detection after his then-wife installed cameras inside the home. One of the victims preserved key evidence, including DNA evidence, that prosecutors said directly linked Foor to the sexual assaults.
During Friday’s hearing, Foor addressed the court, offering an apology and asking for leniency. He referenced positive contributions he believed he had made in the community and requested the opportunity to continue ministry work while under probation, not jail.
Judge Chafin rejected that request.
“You have done some good for the community,” Chafin said from the bench. “But I wish their father were here today so he could advise what he would want us to do with you. He trusted you to take care of his children, and instead, you took advantage. This crime totally eclipses all the good that you have done. As for the good you could do in the future for this community, someone else will step up. Your self-gratification does not impress me.”
Chafin then imposed the maximum sentence allowed under the plea agreement — 15 years in prison.
Foor previously served as pastor of Pathway Apostolic Church and operated Foor U Construction, a contracting business that worked across Central Ohio for approximately eight years.
The case was prosecuted by the Pickaway County Prosecutor’s Office. Court officials said the sentence reflects the seriousness of the offenses and the breach of trust involved.
The case has drawn strong reaction in the community, particularly because of Foor’s former role in ministry. Several biblical commandments central to Christian teaching — including prohibitions against adultery, bearing false witness, and taking the Lord’s name in vain — were referenced by observers in light of the case. The Third Commandment, found in Exodus 20:7, warns against using God’s name in emptiness or falsehood. Other commandments emphasize faithfulness, truthfulness, and honoring commitments — principles many say were fundamentally violated in this case.
No further details about the victims are being released to protect their identities.
