Jario Isidro Thomas Sanchez

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Butler County Sheriffs Office (OH)

Missing From:

Forest Park/Cincinnati, Ohio; last known residence Lemon Township, Butler County, Ohio

Summary:

Jario Isidro Thomas Sanchez is a 38-year-old youth pastor from the Cincinnati/Forest Park area who was indicted on September 28, 2023, on 14 counts of sexual abuse crimes involving five minors. He was accused of molesting children between 2010 and 2022. He fled after the crimes were first reported in December 2022 and remains at large as of October 2026.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

The Butler County Sheriff's Office began investigating on December 18, 2022, when parents of three alleged victims reported that Sanchez had sexually touched children at a home in Lemon Township, Butler County, Ohio. The victims were all female and between ages 13 and 16. The investigation revealed that Sanchez, who worked as a pastor or youth pastor at multiple churches in Hamilton and Butler counties, had abused at least five minors over a span spanning from August 2010 through June 2021, though some sources reference abuse through 2022. The alleged offenses occurred at Sanchez's former residence in Lemon Township and at three churches where he was affiliated: Cincinnati Church of God of Prophecy, Church of Life Abundant, and Fraternity Church. Some victims were family members, and Sanchez was also known to them as their uncle.

Additional Details:

On September 28, 2023, a Butler County grand jury indicted Sanchez on three counts of gross sexual imposition (third-degree felonies), one count of abduction (third-degree felony), four counts of unlawful restraint (third-degree misdemeanors), and six counts of sexual imposition (third-degree misdemeanors). Court records list him as 'pending arrest' as of October 2026. Three of the reported victims were under 13 years old at the time of abuse. Sanchez is in the United States illegally and authorities indicated he likely fled the area and possibly the country shortly after the crimes were first reported in December 2022. The Butler County Sheriff's Office offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest as of October 5, 2023. Detective Lindsay Sheehan of the Butler County Prosecutor's Office noted the indictment reflects a continuous course of action spanning both Butler and Hamilton counties while Sanchez served as a pastor in the Hispanic community. As of October 2026, Sanchez remained at large. The churches involved stated they were unaware of the crimes or stated Sanchez was only a member or youth leader rather than pastor.

Case Last Updated:

Oct 27, 2026